PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Pinellas County Emergency Management is telling people with specific medical needs to be ready for a phone call this week.
While county staff, rescue crews and volunteers are preparing for hurricanes around the clock and nearly each calendar day, right now workers are updating a crucial registry used to keep residents safe.
During evacuation orders the Pinellas County Special Needs Evacuation program provides transportation and shelter for those who depend on medical, functional or special transportation to stay healthy. About 4,500 people are listed as special needs on the registry, but this information needs to be updated to reach and rescue those who need it as quickly as possible when a storm hits.
“What we want to make sure is when our teams are calling those people who are on the list, they are finding the right people who need help right away so we can get them resources because when a hurricane is coming the only thing you can't get more of is time,” David Conner, a public information officer with Pinellas County Government told 10 Tampa Bay.
Examples of eligible needs include but are not limited to:
- Needing oxygen.
- Requiring assistance with routine care and medications.
- Requiring mobility assistance.
- Dependence on electricity.
- Requiring assistance with transportation to emergency shelters.
Calls will be made to those listed on the registry between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. beginning on Feb. 20 – 23 as well as between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Feb. 26 - 28.
"It's critical that everyone answer these calls," Pinellas County Emergency Management Director Cathie Perkins said.
If callers are not able to reach a registrant after two attempts, Pinellas County will mail a new registration form that must be completed and returned for the registrant to remain on the registry.
If you have special medical needs or transportation challenges and would like to apply for the program, visit Pinellas.gov/SpecialNeeds to apply.