Emergency Preparedness: Residents with Special Needs

Download the Special Needs Registry Form
→ PDF document
→ Word document

Download the Special Conditions and Release Form
→ PDF document
→ Word document

If a hurricane were headed for Coastal Georgia, many people would leave home for a safe shelter. Evacuations are almost never easy, but for people with special needs, getting to safety can be extremely difficult. That's why the Coastal Health District wants you to be prepared.

Citizens with special needs should develop a plan with their caregiver, including when to leave, where to go, and how to get there.

A special needs registry is kept at all Coastal GA Health Departments. The registry is for people who require observation, assessment and maintenance; those with contagious health conditions requiring minimal precautions or isolation; those with chronic conditions who need more skilled nursing care but don't require hospitalization; or those needing help with medications and monitoring of vital signs.

This registry is provided to local emergency management agencies. In an actual emergency, response agencies will try to provide assistance, but this cannot be guaranteed.

The registry is truly a last resort, but if a hurricane is threatening our area, it is important we know where some of our most vulnerable residents are so we can try to help them evacuate.

Residents must apply to be on the registry. People living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and personal care homes aren't eligible and must follow their facility's emergency plan. Each resident must have one caregiver, as nurses will not be provided, and they will be taken to a special needs shelter. If someone needs to go to the hospital during a disaster, that person and his/her caregiver must make those arrangements.

For more information contact your local health department, or download the Special Needs Registry Form and the Conditions and Release Statement. Mail the completed documents to the following address in your county of residence:

Bryan County Health Dept.
ATTN: Joanne Burnsed
P. O. Box 9
Pembroke, GA 31321-0009

Effingham County Health Dept.
ATTN: Cindy Grovenstein
P.O. Box 350
Springfield, GA 31329

Camden County Health Dept.
ATTN: Debbie Melton
600 North Charles Gilman Jr. Ave.
Kingsland, GA 31548

Chatham County Health Dept.
ATTN: Dolores Robertson
1395 Eisenhower Drive
Savannah, GA 31406

Glynn County Health Dept.
ATTN: Sharon Smith
2747 4th Street
Brunswick, GA 31520

Liberty County Health Dept.
ATTN: Annie Washington
P.O. Box 231
Hinesville, GA 31310

Long County Health Dept.
ATTN: Kathy Rowell
P.O. Box 279
Ludowici, GA 31316

McIntosh County Health Dept.
ATTN: Betty Dixon
24 Oglethorpe Professional Blvd.
Savannah, GA 31406

Download the Special Needs Registry Form
→ PDF document
→ Word document

Download the Special Conditions and Release Form
→ PDF document
→ Word document

WWW Address: http://www.gachd.org/emergency-preparedness/residents_with_special_needs_1.php