Special
Needs? Register Now! |
Citizens with special medical needs can get
help during an evacuation. Pinellas County has
partnered with local municipalities to offer
sheltering and transportation, if you meet the
eligibility requirements. Those with certain
medical conditions may be able to stay in special
needs shelters.
 “Please
do not wait until there is a threat of evacuation,” said
David MacNamee, a Pinellas County Emergency
Management Coordinator.
“You may be too late. Register
now.” The local fire department
and the Department of Health will assess each
individual and notify him or her,”
MacNamee said.
“We want anyone with special needs to
be in the appropriate situation during an emergency.
That may mean a special needs shelter, a general
shelter, a healthcare facility or staying at
home if that is best for an individual.”
Are you eligible for
any of the Special Needs and Transportation
Programs?
- Fill out a registration
form and send it to either Pinellas County
Emergency Management or your local fire rescue
department. You may also get the registration
form from your home healthcare provider,
the Health Department or call your local
fire department.
- Once registered, you will be contacted for
more information. After a medical needs review,
your eligibility will be assessed. If you don’t
qualify for a special needs shelter, other
options will be discussed with you. If you
are registered and need transportation, your
local fi re department will contact you before
an evacuation.
- You should register to go to a special needs
shelter even if you have your own transportation.
- You may bring your caregiver and/or family
with you to a special needs shelter.
- You are not obligated to stay in a special
needs shelter once registered. You can change
your plans if you have made other safe and
secure arrangements.
- Service animals may go with you, but other
pets need to be cared for by making prior arrangements.
If you are registered and eligible to go to
a special needs shelter, call Pinellas County
Animal Services at (727) 582-2600 to register
your pet. Animal Services will make arrangements
for your pet to be taken to a host home.
What Should You Expect From A Special Needs Shelter?
The Pinellas County Health
Department and School Board
staff these shelters with nurses and
other medical personnel. Oxygen is
available, and generators will keep
equipment running if a power outage
happens. Air conditioning will not be
available if power is interrupted.
Before going to a shelter, arrange
to bring at least a seven-day supply
of any medications you need along
with any special equipment. If you
have special diet requirements, be
sure to pack your own special nonperishable
snacks. For your own
comfort, bring items such as bedding,
sheets, pillows and blankets.
Cots are available only on a limited
basis and are not guaranteed.
Special needs shelters do not have
hospital beds and cannot assist those
with acute medical problems. Talk with
your healthcare provider about the best
options to meet your medical needs.
Good Advice For All Residents With Specials Needs
Whether you go to a special needs
shelter or not, here’s some good advice
to keep in mind when preparing
for hurricane season:
- Start a personal support
network of people you can count
on during an emergency.
- Create an emergency health
information card that is
customized to you.
- Complete an emergency contact
list with names and phone
numbers of family members,
friends, doctors and hospital
preferences.
- Conduct an ability selfassessment.
Know what you
can and cannot do. Talk with
your healthcare provider about
a realistic plan.
- Maintain a minimum of a
seven-day supply of
essential medications.
- Keep important equipment
and assistive devices in a
consistent, convenient and
secured place.
To help citizens with special needs, the Department
of Health and the Pinellas County School Board
staff special needs shelters with nurses and
other medical personnel. Oxygen is available.
But citizens should plan on bringing their
own medication and any needed special equipment.
Special needs shelters are offered only if you have no other options for sheltering,
and you require limited medical assistance. Shelters do not have hospital beds
and cannot assist those with acute medical problems.
Hurricane
Handbook Table of Contents
Frequently
Asked Questions:
What
is this program?
The Pinellas County Special Needs/Evacuation
Assistance Program is for individuals who have
no other evacuation plan and need government
sheltering and/or transportation assistance
during an emergency. The program provides transportation
to general shelters, special needs shelters
or a healthcare facility. It also can provide
special needs sheltering for those that meet
the criteria and are unable to make any other
arrangements for shelter during an emergency.
How do I register?
You can fill out the form on-line and it will
go to Emergency Management. The form will then
be sent to the appropriate fire department.
They will contact you for more information
and to confirm that you are entered into the
program. Forms are also available from your
home healthcare provider or by calling your
local fire department, Emergency Management
(464-3800) or the Pinellas County Health Department
(820-4155). For transportation, your local
fire department will contact you prior to any
evacuations. You do not need to be registered
to go to a special needs shelter if you have
your own transportation, but we strongly encourage
it. You must be registered if you need transportation
to a shelter. Do not wait until there is a
threat of an evacuation, you may be too late. Register
now!
How do I know
if I am eligible?
For transportation, if you have no other way
to get to a shelter you can register for transportation
assistance. For special needs shelters, if
you have no other options for sheltering and
you require limited medical assistance such
as oxygen, assistance with routine care and
medications, or you are dependent on electricity
you may qualify for the special needs shelters.
Shelters do not have hospital beds, and cannot
assist those with acute medical problems. When
you fill out a registration form, the Pinellas
County Health Department will determine if
you are eligible for a special needs shelter
and advise you directly or through your local
fire department.
Can this program
help me at other times?
This program is activated only when we have
a declared county emergency, an evacuation
is ordered and shelters are opened. However,
if you are registered as a special needs person,
the local fire department will have that information
in the event of a localized situation that
may require your notification or evacuation.
What is available
at the Special Needs Shelters?
The Department of Health and the Pinellas County
School Board staff these shelters with nurses
and other medical personnel. Oxygen is available
at the special needs shelters. You will be
provided normal meals only; you will need to
bring any special dietary foods you may require.
Hospital beds are not available at the shelters;
you must bring comfort items such as bedding,
pillows, sheets, and blankets. Air conditioning
will be available as long as power is available.
While the special needs shelters may have generators
for essential electrical devices, none will
have air conditioning if power is lost. You
must bring any medications you require (at
least a seven day supply), as well as special
equipment you may need such as your oxygen
concentrator, canulas, tubing, etc.
What about
my pet?
Service animals may go with you, but other
pets need to be cared for by making prior arrangements.
If you are registered and eligible to go to
a special needs shelter, call Pinellas County
Animal Services at (727) 582-2600 to register
your pet. Animal Services will make arrangements
for your pet to be taken to a host home. If
you are going to a pet friendly shelter you
are responsible for your own transportation.
What if I am
in a non-evacuation zone?
If you are in a non-evacuation zone and you
are not in a manufactured home, you should
stay home unless told otherwise. Stock up on
supplies and take steps to make your home safe.
Your home will be the most comfortable place
during a hurricane. If you are electrically
dependent, talk to your home healthcare provider
or your physician about what you should do
in the event of loss of power to your home.
If you are on liquid oxygen you will not need
electricity. If you are on gaseous oxygen talk
to your supplier about what to do during an
emergency.
What if I register
and do not qualify for a special needs
shelter?
If you do not qualify for a special needs shelter
you will be advised by the Dept of Health or
your local fire department. Depending on your
situation, you will be directed to go to a
general population shelter or we will work
with you to find an appropriate medical facility
where you can shelter during an emergency.
Hurricane
Handbook Table of Contents
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