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C. In July of 1989, the Indian River County Department of <br />Emergency Services formed a committee to address people <br />within Indian River County with Special Medical Needs. Since <br />then, the goal of the Special Need's Shelter Program is to <br />provide a safe place for persons requiring medical assistance <br />to temporarily shelter during an evacuation from either a man- <br />made or natural disaster, rather than inundating local hospitals <br />with a large number of people that a specially equipped and <br />staffed shelter could adequately handle. <br />Regular public shelters available under emergency conditions <br />will accept anyone who is self-sufficient, and who needs no <br />outside professional assistance in performing activities of daily <br />living. Individuals not meeting the above criteria will either be <br />referred to the special need's shelter or referred to an <br />appropriate health care facility. The regular public shelters will <br />have nursing personnel and volunteers to assist evacuees <br />from the time of arrival at the shelter. Individuals with <br />decreased mobility without medical problems will be provided <br />for in a regular shelter. <br />Registration for evacuation assistance will be provided for <br />anyone who requires assistance with evacuation during an <br />emergency to either a regular public shelter or to the Special <br />Need's Shelter. Individuals needing transportation need to <br />register with the special need's program prior to the hurricane <br />season. For more specific information on the registering of <br />individuals with specials needs, see the Standard Operating <br />Procedure for Registration of Transportation and Special <br />Needs Shelter Evacuees retained on file in the Emergency <br />Management office. <br />Special Needs registrants have been separated and <br />categorized to the level of assistance required. This includes <br />evacuees requiring space in shelter only, transportation and <br />space in shelter only, space in the special need's shelter only, <br />transportation and space in the special need's shelter only and <br />transportation to a local hospital only (if pre -admitted). <br />The focus of the Special Need's Shelter is the medical support <br />and care of persons who require special care during an <br />evacuation at a shelter, such as: <br />• People with minor health/medical conditions that require <br />observation, assessment and maintenance; <br />Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 97 <br />