Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about CARA - Comprehensive Automated Risk Assessment.
Q: Does the tool collect or store any personal information?
A: No. The tool does not collect, process, or store personally identifiable information (PII). All data used in risk assessments is aggregated at the county or regional level. No individual-level data is used.
Q: Where does the data come from?
A: All data comes from authorized public sources, including federal agencies (CDC, FEMA, NWS, Census Bureau), state agencies (DHS, WEM), and non-governmental organizations with data sharing agreements. All data sources are documented in each risk assessment.
Q: Is user activity tracked or monitored?
A: The tool uses minimal technical cookies required for functionality but does not track individual user activity for analytics purposes. No third-party tracking is implemented.
Q: How is data security maintained?
A: The application uses encrypted connections (HTTPS), has regular security updates, and follows secure application development practices. API keys used for data access are never exposed to users.
Q: What is the intended use of this tool?
A: This tool is designed to help public health departments, healthcare coalitions, and emergency managers assess and prepare for a range of health and emergency risks. It supports planning, resource allocation, and coordination efforts.
Q: Can risk assessments be used for funding or grant applications?
A: Yes. The risk assessments are designed to align with CDC Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Cooperative Agreement requirements and can support funding applications. Reports can be generated specifically for inclusion in grant applications.
Q: Is this an official state tool?
A: This tool was developed as a research project in collaboration with Wisconsin health departments. While it uses official data sources, users should verify critical information with their authoritative sources when making major decisions.
Q: Who should use this tool?
A: The tool is intended for professional use by public health departments, tribal health centers, healthcare coalitions, emergency management agencies, and other preparedness partners in Wisconsin.
Q: What are the limitations of the risk assessments?
A: The tool has several important limitations to be aware of:
- Risk assessments are based on historical data and may not predict unprecedented events
- County-level aggregation may mask significant local variations within counties
- Data sources update at different frequencies, so some components may be more current than others
- Active shooter risk assessments are particularly limited by available data and should be used with caution
- The tool does not account for all possible hazards or risk factors
Q: How accurate are the risk scores?
A: Risk scores should be viewed as relative indicators rather than absolute measurements. They are most useful for comparing different jurisdictions and identifying priorities for preparedness activities. The methodology emphasizes transparency about data sources and calculation methods.
Q: Does the tool account for climate change in risk assessments?
A: The tool incorporates some climate projection data for flooding and extreme heat risks, but long-term climate change impacts are difficult to predict precisely at the county level. Users should consider supplementing these assessments with specialized climate adaptation planning.
Q: Can the tool be used for real-time emergency response?
A: The tool is primarily designed for preparedness planning, not real-time emergency operations. While some data (like weather alerts) updates frequently, the tool should not be the primary resource during active emergency response.
Q: What browser should I use?
A: The tool works with all modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) updated within the last two years. Internet Explorer is not supported.
Q: Does the tool work on mobile devices?
A: Yes, the tool is responsive and functions on tablets and smartphones, though the interactive maps and data visualizations are best experienced on larger screens.
Q: What internet connection speed is required?
A: The tool was designed to work with slower connections typical in rural areas. Initial loading may take a few moments, but subsequent navigation is optimized for speed.
Q: Can I download or export the data?
A: Yes, risk assessment data can be exported in various formats, including CSV files and Kaiser Permanente HVA compatible formats for HERC regions.
Q: How do I report issues or provide feedback?
A: Please use the feedback form to report any issues, suggest improvements, or provide general feedback about your experience with the tool.
Q: Who do I contact for technical support?
A: For technical support or questions, please contact:
Project Developer: Jaime Niedermeier, Georgetown University
Email: jdn63@georgetown.edu
Q: Will my feedback be implemented?
A: All feedback is reviewed and considered for future updates. As a beta tester, your input is especially valuable and may directly influence tool improvements.
Q: How often is the tool updated?
A: The underlying data is updated according to various schedules (daily to annually, depending on the source). The tool functionality itself is updated periodically based on user feedback and emerging needs.