Data Gathering

Final Project – Data Gathering
One skill that will make you more “marketable” as a planner is a working knowledge of Access (data base) and Excel or Numbers (spreadsheet). This project will serve two purposes. First, you will learn how to gather the data needed to move a project forward. Second, you will use a spreadsheet application to report your data.
This individual project replaces the traditional “final paper” for the course. You will first read the FEMA Whole Community Preparedness document. (Find it in Resource Room). You will then do some data gathering. The object is to prepare for a mass vaccination program in a community in anticipation of a novel strain flu outbreak.
1. Begin with a written plan that outlines goals and objectives for the actual mass vaccination. That plan should be approximately 1000 words in length. Hint – Think of this in terms of an appendix to an EOP.
2. Choose a community with which you are familiar and prepare the following within your spreadsheet. Each item should have a tab within the sheet.
• Create a data base of demographic data (population size, ages, income level, special needs etc) for the community. Use actual numbers gathered from municipal, county and state resources.
• Create a prioritization scheme (with guidance from CDC) to decide the order in which individuals and/or groups receive the vaccine, especially if there isn’t enough vaccine for everyone to get it or batches are released in intervals.
• Create a list of individuals who would assist with the program. Think beyond those who actually administer the injection
• Create a list of hospital emergency departments with bed capacity and typical staffing (physician, nursing, ancillary) in the event of an actual outbreak. It would be ideal to speak with the person in charge of emergency management for each facility, but you may need to call the nurse manager and department director.
• Create a map showing key locations (hospitals, fire stations, community centers, churches, schools etc) where staff could do the vaccinating. Use programs such as google earth to assist in map creation.
3. End with a 1000 word written report of your findings. Include a list of the factors you took into consideration as you developed the project. Your report should be realistic in terms of the plan’s ability to mass vaccinate your community. This should be a technical report (facts, figures etc) more than an academic exercise. Again, think in terms of an EOP.
You may use either Microsoft Excel or Apple Numbers to create your spreadsheet. (I prefer Excel but can open either).
See the attached grading rubric so you know what I address when I review your project.
If you are not adept at using a spreadsheet, contact Atomic Learning (www.philau.edu/atomiclearning/) for assistance.
(Begin with a written plan that outlines goals and objectives for the actual mass vaccination. That plan should be approximately 1000 words in length. Hint – Think of this in terms of an appendix to an EOP. )
(End with a 1000 word written report of your findings. Include a list of the factors you took into consideration as you developed the project. Your report should be realistic in terms of the plan’s ability to mass vaccinate your community. This should be a technical report (facts, figures etc) more than an academic exercise. Again, think in terms of an EOP.
You may use either Microsoft Excel or Apple Numbers to create your spreadsheet. (I prefer Excel but can open either).