Emergency Management

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Special Needs Information

The Pasco County Special Needs Program is in place to coordinate the registration, notification, and evacuation of those citizens with physical or mental disabilities or minor health and medical conditions.

Registration

Registration for the Special Needs Program can be completed through your Home Health Care Agency or Oxygen Provider, Private Care Providers, Physician's Offices, or by contacting Courtney Wildes at the Pasco County Emergency Management Office at 727-847-8137 x 2383. Once you are registered in our database, you or your healthcare representative should renew your application each and every year. Registration does not mean reservation in the shelter.

Notification

Evacuation notices may be made in several ways. First, we will try to call you ahead of time to let you know we are evacuating residents in your area. We will ask if you want to evacuate and if you will require transportation. Please keep in mind that this notification starts 72 or more hours prior to the arrival of bad weather. This is to ensure we have enough time to safely move citizens. Once the bad weather arrives, we will not be transporting any citizens out of their homes. Please be mindful that not everyone who is registered will be called in every emergency.

Home Health Care & Homebound Patients

Notify your health agency where you will be during a hurricane and when care can be re-established.

• Contact your physician if you are homebound, under the care of a physician and do not have a home health agency
• Make prior medical arrangements with your physician and register in advance with your local power company if you require respirators or other electric-dependent medical equipment
• Check with your supplier about emergency plans if you require oxygen
• Remember to take medications, written instructions regarding your care, special equipment and bedding if you evacuate
• Register now at 727-847-8137 x 2383 with Pasco County Emergency Management is you need assistance in an evacuation

Evacuation

Evacuation is coordinated with the Emergency Management office working with the School Board, Fire Rescue, and wheelchair transportation companies. When you fill out your registration, it is crucial that you indicate what mode of transportation you will require. You should be prepared to leave your house when the transportation arrives. If you plan to evacuate yourself, know ahead of time where the Special Needs Shelter is located and what route to take to get there. Make sure you bring a companion/caregiver with you, your wheelchair, walker or cane, all necessary medical supplies and prescriptions. You may also was to include any special food or nutritional supplements, a blanket, sleeping bag and pillow, complete change of clothing, personal hygiene items, and books/magazines.

The Special Needs Shelter is under the supervision of registered nurses from the Health Department and is staffed by a consulting physician, health professionals from home health care, a consulting mental health professional and volunteers. The shelter provides a safe, secure environment but doesn't take the place of hospitals, assisted living facilities, or long term care facilities.