Emergency Preparedness
Residents with Special Medical Needs
Download the Special Medical Needs Registry Form
Special Needs Form 2011 (Word document)
Special Needs Form 2011 (PDF form)
Download the Special Conditions and Release Form
Conditions and Release of Information (Word document)
Conditions and Release of Information (PDF file)
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 medical needs, getting to safety can be extremely difficult. That's why the Coastal Health District wants you to be prepared.
Citizens with special medical needs should develop a plan with their caregiver, including when to leave, where to go, and how to get there.
A Special Medical Needs Registry is kept at all Coastal Georgia Health departments. The Registry is for that population requiring specialized assistance in meeting daily needs and may require special assistance during emergency situations. Individuals may need specially trained health care providers, special facilities equipped to meet their needs, and specialized vehicles and equipment for transport.
How the Special Medical Needs Registry Works
Special medical needs persons are categorized into five levels. If you meet the criteria for levels one or two, you are not eligible for the Special Medical Needs Registry. If you meet the criteria for levels three, four, or five, your name will be entered into the Special Medical Needs Registry.
Special Medical Needs Definitions
Levels one and two: Not eligible for the registry
Level one and level two clients are not eligible for the Special Medical Needs Registry.
- The definition for level one and level two residents is: "Persons who are independent and capable of self-care requiring only minimal support for minor illnesses and injuries, and persons with conditions requiring observation or minor supportive assistance in activities of daily living (i.e. independent with some family/caretaker support)." If a county mandatory evacuation is ordered, level one and two clients who do not have personal transportation will be advised to go by other forms of transportation for evacuation to a public shelter.
Levels three, four, and five: Eligible for the Registry
Level three, four, and five clients are eligible for the Special Medical Needs Registry.
- The definition of level three residents is: "Persons with conditions requiring some level of privacy or separation but do not require skilled or continuous health care support from facility staff." Some examples of level three residents include those with moderate Alzheimer's or dementia; those requiring assistance from a family member or caretaker for activities of daily living; those with portable oxygen; and dialysis patients.
- The definition of level four residents is: "Persons requiring frequent or continuous surveillance for potentially life-threatening conditions or require bedding or bathroom facilities not available in the (public) shelter." Some examples of level four residents include those requiring assistance with toileting; those with limited mobility who cannot sleep on a cot or transfer; brittle diabetics or epileptics; oxygen dependent persons; and those with severe dementia or psychiatric conditions.
- The definition of level five residents is: "Those requiring skilled care, continuous observation, or special equipment and services usually found in a hospital." Some examples of level five residents include those needing IV feeding or medication; those completely bedfast requiring total care; those with uncontrolled chronic or acute physical or mental conditions; women in active labor; and those with significant injuries, difficulty breathing, or prolonged pain.
If you are not accepted into the Special Medical Needs Program, you will be called by the health department and advised to make other arrangements for evacuation and sheltering.
If you are accepted into the Special Medical Needs Program and a mandatory evacuation order is about to happen, you will be advised by the health department staff to prepare for evacuation.
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 Medical 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
1501 Georgia Avenue
Woodbine, GA 31569
Chatham County Health Dept.
ATTN: Cathy Schmid
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: Paige Lightsey
1335 GA Highway 57
Townsend, GA 31331