Special Needs Project a Joint Success
Santa Rosa County Emergency Management, Computer/GIS, and the Department of Health united together to provide improved assistance to Santa Rosa County's special needs residents. Working together, the departments designed a new computerized tracking system to pre-register, track, and provide medical history for special needs patients who may utilize a county shelter during a disaster, which replaces the semi-manual paper system previously used.
The system is built-in with the county's GIS mapping system to improve transportation routing and assign priorities based on flood zone areas and type of structure. During a natural disaster event, special needs citizens are transported to a special needs shelter and where they are monitored by DOH nurses until it is safe to return to their homes. The system will be further tested during upcoming EOC drills in May and June.
Sandra Park, public health services manager said, "In a nutshell, information can be shared more succinctly, expediently and securely easing the burden for county health department staff and emergency management during disaster functions. Data can be securely stored with limited space."
The special needs shelter is for individuals who are self-maintained in the home setting, but may need additional support or power during an emergency event. These shelters are not equipped with advanced medical equipment nor are they staffed to provide advanced medical care. Residents must pre-register and must bring a caregiver. Those that have already registered do not need to reregister for the new system. Citizens that have not yet preregistered can do so by calling (850) 983-5360 or on the county's Website at www.santarosa.fl.gov/emergency/specialneeds.html.
