Approaches Used To Assess Community example essay topic

Running head: COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT A Community Assessment of Erie County Volunteer Firefighters and Blood Donation Department of Nursing Table of Contents I. Background Information on Affiliating Agency... II. Definition of Community... Approaches Used to Assess Community... IV. Description of Survey... V. Assessment of Community... A. People...

1. Age and Gender Distribution... 2. Ethnicity... 3. Educational Levels...

4. Language... 5. Religion... 6. Income...

7. Occupations... 8. Housing... B. Community Structures 1.

Government or Management... 2. Educational Agencies... 3.

Agents of Social Control... 4. Informal Power Structures... 5. Production, Consumption & Distribution of Goods and Services... 6.

Family Structures... C. Other Aspects... 1. Geography... 2.

Transportation... 3. Recreation... 4. Communication... D. Health Risk Factors... E. Resources for Dealing with Risk Factors... 1.

Social Changes Needed to Combat Risk Factors... F. Stressors... G. Analysis of Data... VI. Summary... VII. Conclusions... V. Recommendations...

IX.

Bibliography

X. Appendices A. American Red Cross Web Site Home Page. Neuman Community Assessment Model C. Community Blood Donation Survey. Survey Results Community Assessment of Erie County Voluntary Firefighters and Blood Donation The need for blood grows every day. Blood donation centers continuously request the general population to donate. Specific populations are expected to participate in community activities more, due to the nature of their work. One such group are the volunteer firefighters of Erie County, New York. These are the men and women who rescue victims of accidents and disasters daily. The purpose of this assessment, done in conjunction with the American Red Cross, is to determine whether and why volunteer firefighters participate in blood donation. The scope of this assessment will include a description of the Erie County volunteer firefighter population, the community structures of the Erie County, and other various aspects of the community as well. It will include health risks and stressor's relative to firefighting. The identification of volunteer firefighter needs and recommendations to remedy these needs along with conclusions drawn from the research will be provided. An analysis of the data collected will be provided. Background Information on Affiliating Agency The affiliating agency used for this assessment was the American Red Cross. The American Red Cross began in 1881 as an offshoot of the European Red Cross by Clara Barton in Dansville, NY.
Its purpose is to "provide emergency aid during civil disasters such as floods and earthquakes, offer humanitarian services for armed forces personnel and their families, and operate centers for the collecting and processing blood and blood products". (Davis, 1993, p.
79) The name of the local chapter in Erie County is the Greater Buffalo Chapter (see Appendix A). Definition of Community Community, according to Anderson and McFarlane (2000), is described as a "complex webs of people shaped by relationships, interdependence, mutual interests, and patterns of interaction" (p.
93). Further, Anderson and McFarlane note "The community encompasses people in a particular time and place" (p. 93). There are two definitions of community that apply to the volunteer firefighters of Erie County surveyed for the purpose of this assessment. These include geography or political community, as well as demographic community. Geography of political community refers to place or location and its specific characteristics such as climate and terrain. The assessment was exclusive to Erie County volunteer firefighters from two different volunteer firefighting companies. These companies were the Synder and Main-Transit volunteer fire companies. A demographic community indicates a particular group with particular similarities or human characteristics. Anderson and Mcfarlane (2000) explained that demographics includes age and sex characteristics, as well as racial and ethnic distribution.
The assessment of the community included solely a segment of volunteer firefighters, versus those who are paid to provide the service. Approaches Used to Assess Community The investigators utilized a systems and descriptive approach as frameworks for this community assessment. The systems approach involves the interrelatedness of aspects of the firefighting community. The framework used was Neuman's community assessment wheel, taken from her Community as Partner model (Anderson and McFarlane, p. 166) (see Appendix B). Various subsystems influence the attitudes of firefighters regarding blood donations. These subsystems include family, health, education, economics, politics, religion, recreation, housing, transportation, and communication. Description of Survey five-question survey was developed to ascertain the views of volunteer firefighters regarding the subject of blood donation. The questions included inquiry into current and past donation behaviors of the individual. An additional statement about current donations practiced needed to be added in relation to the state of national affairs in the fall of 2001 (see Appendix C).
The survey was distributed to 90 Erie County voluntary firefighters at their individual volunteer fire departments of Synder and Main-Transit. The survey was completed by 68 of the respondents for a response rate of 76%. Results of the survey will be presented throughout this paper as appropriate. Raw data is available in Appendix D. Assessment of Community People Age and gender distribution. According to the U.S. Census of Population and Housing (2000), the total population of Erie County, New York, is 950,265, which is approximately 20% of the population of New York State.
Erie County includes the City of Buffalo and 42 surrounding towns and villages. In Erie County, the percentage of females total 52.2%, while males are 47.8% of the population. Persons under the age of 5 consist of 6.1% of the total population. Persons under the age of 18 years old consist of 24.3% of the population while persons 65 years old and over consist of 15.9%. In conducting this survey, the investigators established that the age of eligibility to be a volunteer firefighter is 18 years old. There is no age of retirement for volunteer firefighters. During the survey process, it was determined that all of the respondents were ranged in age from 18-80 years. Gender breakdown was 93% male, while females was 7%. Ethnicity. The U.S. Census of Population and Housing (2000) reported the breakdown of ethnicity that illustrated that Erie County has a primarily Caucasian population of 82.
2%. African-Americans are 13.0%, American Indian and Alaska Natives are 0.6%, and Asian persons are 1.5% of the population. Persons reporting other races or combined races are 2.7% of the total population. There is no specific data available for age breakdown by ethnicity of Erie County residents. The main ancestral background of persons residing in Erie County consists of individuals of German descent comprising 31% of the total population. People of Polish descent comprise 20%, while those of Irish descent comprise 18% of the total population of Erie County. The survey respondents were not polled as to their ethnicity or ancestral background. The investigators concluded that the survey respondents could be of any ethnicity or ancestral background. Education. In 1996, the Western New York Regional Information Network reported that there are 29 school districts consisting of 469 schools.
These schools are responsible for providing quality education beginning with the preschool level through the 12th grade. According to the 2000 U.
S. Census of Population and Housing report, high-school graduates totaled 489,135 of the population, while college graduates over the age of 25 years totaled 128,098. Table 1 Educational Attainment in Erie County PERSONS 25 YEARS AND OVER 640,137 Less than 9th grade, no diploma 54, 5139th to 12th grade, no diploma 96,489 High school graduate 202,981 Some college, no degree 104,781 Associate degree 53,275 Bachelors degree 76,619 Graduate or professional degree 51,479% of high school degree or higher 76.4% bachelors degree or higher 20.0 (Erie County Health Department 1996-1997 Health Assessment) Higher education is available and easily accessible by public transportation.
The State University College at Buffalo has 20,000 students enrolled and the State University of New York has two campuses with an enrollment of 40,000 students. Daemen, D'Youville, and Canisius are four-year colleges in Erie County. The following institutions offer two-year programs of study: (a) Trocaire (b) Villa Maria (c) Meda ille and (d) Erie Community (Erie County Department of Health, 1996).
The survey respondents were not polled as to their educational background. The Erie County volunteer firefighters do not require a specific education level to qualify as a volunteer according to their recruitment protocol. Therefore, the investigators concluded that the respondents could be from any type of educational background. Language. According to the U.S. Census of Population and Housing (1990), 83,907 residents of Erie County do not use English as their primary language.
Spanish-speaking Erie County residents total 18,298 and about 40% of these individuals report that they "do not use the English well". The Survey was written in English. The investigators did not question the survey respondents regarding which language they used, but the investigators determined that all respondents were able to read and write the English language. Religion. According to Collins (1992), Catholicism is the major religion practiced in the Erie County area consisting of 59.
1% of the population. Protestants total 39% and Jewish individuals equal 1.9% of the population. The investigators did not query the survey respondents as to their religious preference, and therefore, concluded that the respondents could be of any religious denomination. Income levels. According to the U.S. Census of Population and Housing (2000), the average Erie County residents' median household income based on a 1997 model-based estimate is $36,711.
Persons below poverty level according to the same study, is 13.9% of the total population. The investigators did not address the subject of income on the survey. In driving the residential areas of Synder and Main-Transit fire companies, the investigators observed and concluded that the respondents appeared to be above poverty level and that their income could be assumed to be in the middle class range. Occupations. According to the Erie County Health Department (1997), the "jobs recession of the 1990 had a limited but negative effect on the County's job base".
Economic and job growth have lagged behind compared to past years and this trend is expected to continue for years to come. The four biggest industries in Erie County are in order, the retail trade, health services, manufacturing of durable goods and educational services (Erie County Heath Department, 1996) The investigators did not include occupation as a part of the survey.
The investigators, in talking informally with the volunteer fire company's firefighters, discovered that many of the volunteers work as paid career firefighters and police officers. The investigators concluded that although some respondents work as paid public servants, the respondents could have any occupation. Housing According to U.S. Census of Population and Housing (2000) there are 380,873 households in Erie County with an average of 2.
41 persons per household. Thirty-eight percent of Erie County housing units and 68% of Buffalo housing units were built before the year 1939.
The average value of housing in Erie County and Buffalo are $83,800 and $58,900 respectively. The investigators did nit include questions regarding housing on the survey and concluded that the respondents could live in any type of housing. Community Structures Government or management. Erie County was established in 1821.
The county seat is located in the city of Buffalo. It still retains its original borders, which includes the Tonawanda Indian Reservation and part of Cattaraugus County. Erie County's charter was officially adopted in November of 1959.
League of Women's Voters, 1989).
The Chief Executive Officer of Erie County is an elected four-year term position. Joel Gi ambra currently holds this office. He is responsible for carrying out the policies determined by the county legislature. Additional duties of the office include administering local laws, resolutions, and ordinances in keeping with the provisions set forth by the county charter and administrative codes (League of Women's Voters, 1989).
The Erie County Legislature is presided over by a Chairman who is elected each year with a majority vote of the full Legislature. A majority vote consists of nine votes. The current Legislature Chairman is Charles Swa nick. (web) The members of each party in the Legislature designate one legislator of their party to serve as their leader. They are called the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader. For the purposes of facilitating the actions of the Legislature, the Chairman appoints committees to study and report back information on certain subject areas. There are currently ten standing, permanent committees in the Erie County Legislature: Community Enrichment, Economic Development, Energy & Environment, Finance, Management & Budget, Government Affairs, Public Health / Mental Health, Public Safety, and Social Services. Committee meetings are held at the call of the Chairman. It is at these Committee meetings that the general public may have a direct input into County policy-making by presenting proposals and / or speaking on matters under consideration by a committee. All Committee meetings are open to the public. (web). Erie County is divided into cities, towns and villages. Within Erie County there are three cities, which include Buffalo, Tonawanda and Lackawanna. Each has an elected mayor with an elective governing body called a Common Council. The Common Council has the authority to manage, regulate and control their city as set forth by the New York State government (web). Erie County possesses 25 towns that have a population ranging from 2,000 to 99,000 residents (League of Women's Voters, 1989).
The Town Board is the governing body. It is comprised of a Town Supervisor and four to six councilman. The position of supervisor is an elected one and serves as the Chief Fiscal Officer as well. The town board adopts local laws and ordinances, prepares the town budget and monitors finances (League of Women's Voters, 1989).
There are 16 villages in Erie County ranging in population from several hundred to several thousand. Villages elect a mayor and are governed by a Board of Trustees consisting of four members. Other offices may be required such as a tax assessor, clerk, treasurer and superintendent of public works (League of Women's Voters, 1989).
The investigators did not question the survey respondents as to where they resided. It is a requirement that they must live in the fire district that they volunteer for. The investigators can therefore assume that all of the respondents reside in the villages of Synder and Williamsville. Educational agencies. According to the Western New York Regional Information Network, there are 29 school districts in Erie County. They consist of 138 public and 90 private elementary schools, 82 public and 86 private middle schools, and 49 public and 24 private high schools. In 1990, enrollment in public schools totaled 200,717 an private school enrollment was 46,433 (Slater and Hall, 1993).
There are 18 other educational institutions that offer higher education degree programs in the Buffalo area. These degrees range from an associate degree to a doctorate (Clements, 1989).
The largest of these institutions is the State University of New York at Buffalo (NYNEX, 1998).
The State University of New York at Buffalo is part of the state-wide public university system. It includes the State college at Buffalo. The highest degree obtainable at the State University system is a doctorate. There are several non-profit colleges located in the Buffalo area. Canisius College, D'Youville College, Christ the King Seminary, and Daemen College offer degree programs at the Bachelors and Masters degree programs. Hilbert and Houghton College offer Bachelors degrees (Erie County Department of Healt, 1996).
There are several non-profit independent institutions in Erie County offer an associate degree. These include Villa Maria College, Erie Community College, and Trocaire College. There are many other post-secondary educational opportunities available in a wide range of subjects. The Buffalo area has an extensive library system. There are 53 branches located throughout Erie County and in the City of Buffalo (NYNEX, 1998).
The public can easily access the library system throughout the county limits including the use of bookmobiles. The system offers a wide variety of adult, teen and children's book programs. Also offered is a wide selection of videocassettes, CDs, records, audiocassettes and large print books. These are all offered to the public for loan. The main library and many of its branches also offer computer accessibility. In order to maintain volunteer recruitment levels, a new program was introduced by Erie County called the "Volunteer Firefighter Incentive for Recruitment and Education" or the "V-Fire" program. This program was developed as a way to recruit new volunteers in a response to a critical need for volunteer firefighters in the suburban Erie County area. Under the program, new recruits will be eligible for having their tuition paid in full at the Erie Community College after their acceptance in the membership of one of Erie County's 100+ volunteer fire companies or emergency services agencies. V-Fire recruits must commit to a service obligation of five years following the achievement of a two-year degree program or one year following the completion of part-time study goals. Recruits may also be eligible for interest free loans or grants for books and other school supplies. Volunteer service commitment applications received by July 2001 include 21 applicants with 12 of the 21 applicants reporting their college major as either Fire Protection Technology or Criminal Justice.
Erie County has provided its citizens with law enforcement services since 1821.
A complete list of police agencies and Courts in Erie County can be found in Appendix E. Patrick Gallican is the Sheriff of Erie County currently. The Erie County Sheriff's Department (E CSD) provides many services. The Office of Communications and Records fields all emergency 911 calls. The Special Services Division operates the helicopter search and rescue team. A cooperative effort exists between the Sheriff's Department and Mercy Flight which provides the community with a back-up emergency medical service helicopter (Erie County Sheriff's Department, 1997).
The Police Patrol Services of the Sheriff's Department work out of One Sheriff Drive located in chestnut Ridge Park. Production, consumption, and distribution of goods and services. Identification of family structures. Other Aspects Geography and climate According to the 2000 Census, there is a total land are of 1,044 square miles in Erie County.