Social capital is a concept developed by social scientists, which uses extensive observations and research regarding the network of relationships.  Stated differently, social capital is defined as the cooperation and collaboration between the public and private sectors in order to achieve a common goal.  It also refers to the extent and nature of existing relationships in a community.

WHAT IS THE SURVEY ABOUT?
This survey is about public and private partnerships and emergency preparedness.  More specifically, the survey assesses perceptions about community groups, as well as public agencies regarding the development of partnerships to solve community problems.  Finally, it measures of the effectiveness of the Critical Incident Protocol – Community Facilitation Program in the community.

WHY CONDUCT THIS SURVEY?
Understanding the dynamics of relationships between the public and private sectors assists in building effective partnerships to address critical incidents and emergencies in the community.  Communities that recognize and utilize social capital are better equipped for emergency response than those who do not have such resources.

Specifically, social capital includes the networks that support and enhance social relationships in the communities, information potential of networks, and how well community groups work with each other (includes both public and private) to address communities’ concerns.  A large part of these processes are based on the level of trust these groups have of others in the community.

HOW WOULD THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT?
Feedback from the survey will assist the community in identifying strengths and weaknesses in the experiences and relationships of the participants particularly in the area of joint critical incident preparedness.  This insight is useful in guiding the development of joint public/private sector strategies within your community.

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