Special Needs Shelter FAQ
What is a special needs shelter?
Special Needs Shelters are staffed by County Health Department and Emergency Medical Service personnel and provide last resort sheltering for persons with special medical needs during an emergency. Nurses and physicians are available for medical emergencies. The shelter is able to provide for only very basic needs during an emergency. Persons with special needs should consider all other options before going to a special needs shelter.
Who qualifies for a special needs shelter?
See Special Needs Shelter for more information.
If I don’t qualify for the special needs shelter, where can I go?
If you do not qualify for placement in the special needs shelter, the American Red Cross operates general shelters throughout the county. Red Cross shelters provide no medical care.
- Ambulatory (with or without assisting devices (walker, wheelchair, cane, etc.)
- Can perform activities of daily living without nursing assistance.
- Can administer medications without nursing assistance.
- Persons who have no requirement for electrical power to run a piece of medical equipment.
- For persons with complex medical conditions, contact your home health agency or private physician about alternative locations during a disaster such as a hospital or skilled nursing facility.
What are the shelter accommodations?
- There are no beds in the Special Needs Shelter. Individuals are given a camping/military-style cot for sleeping. One blanket and a pillow are provided, as available.
- Caregivers will be provided a cot based on availability.
- Shower facilities may or may not be available.
- Meals may be provided. During the event, sandwiches or other pre-prepared foods may be provided 3 times per day. Foods for special dietary needs are not available.
- There are no electrical outlets available for non-medical equipment such as radios, televisions and cell phones.
- There is no smoking in the shelter. A designated smoking area, away from the shelter, will be identified. Shelterees will not be allowed outside to smoke if weather conditions do not permit.
- People in the shelter are expected to follow rules of good conduct. Anyone not conforming to the rules of conduct will be asked to leave the shelter.
Should I bring someone with me to the shelter?
Each person checking into the shelter should bring one caregiver who can assist them with activities of daily living. This ../includes changing, feeding, providing medications and toileting.
What should I bring to the shelter?
Each person should bring supplies to support themselves for up to 4 days including:
- Any special diet foods
- Clothing and bedding (pillows, sheets, and blankets).
- All required medication in their containers, along with the dispensing instructions (if not found on the container). Try to obtain a 30 day supply of medication before arriving at the shelter. The shelter has limited capability to get prescriptions refilled during and after an event.
- Medical or electronic equipment required for medication or activities of daily life such as:
- Nebulizer
- Oxygen Tanks
- Oxygen Concentrator
- Walkers or Canes
- Wheelchair (non-electric recommended)
Any equipment or personal belongings brought to the shelter should be marked clearly with your name. Escambia County Health Department, Escambia County EMS, or the Escambia School District will not be responsible for any lost personal equipment or belongings.
How can I register for the special needs shelter?
Escambia County Emergency Management maintains a list of persons with special needs requiring shelter
during a disaster. A copy of the registration form can be obtained from your home health
agency or you may download here. Once completed, return the registration
by mail, to:
Escambia County Public Safety-Special Needs Registry 6575 North "W" St, Pensacola, FL 32505.
All registration forms will be screened by medical personnel.
Can I reserve a spot in the shelter?
NO. There are no reserved spaces. Cots are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Pre-registration does not reserve your space. Pre-registration assists the county in planning for special needs personnel.
Where is the Escambia County Special Needs Shelter?
Listen to news media for shelter location.
How do I get to the shelter?
If you are registered with the county, there is a block on the form for transportation requests. The Escambia County Transit Authority (ECAT) will provide transportation if you qualify for the special needs shelter. Make sure you request a wheelchair accessible vehicle if needed. ECAT will only transport from the home directly to the shelter. They will not make other stops (store, pickup caregiver, etc).
When will the special needs shelter open?
The special needs shelters will open when the general shelters in the community are opened. This is done at the direction of the Escambia County Public Safety Division. Citizens are urged to monitor news broadcasts for opening times and dates.
What other preparations should I make before coming to the shelter?
If you are a home health client, discuss your emergency plans with your caregiver/agency. Have their contact information with you if you come to the shelter.
If you receive services from a durable medical equipment company, talk with them to ensure you have adequate supplies when you return home. The shelter will have limited capability to supply oxygen to individuals after discharge.
Notify family members if you are going to the special needs shelter during an emergency. It is suggested that you bring a fully charged cell phone as phone service at the shelters cannot be guaranteed. We cannot accept phone calls for individuals at the shelter. Family members should monitor the news for local conditions.
When can I leave the shelter?
The goal of the Special Needs Shelter is to return the citizens back to their homes as quickly as possible after the danger passes. At admission, each person will be asked to provide the names and phone numbers of neighbors who can be contacted to determine the status of the home. Some individuals may be discharged to a temporary facility (nursing home/ALF) while waiting for their homes to become livable. Once discharged from the special needs shelter individuals may not be readmitted.
Shelter conduct
Do NOT bring weapons of any sort (knives, guns, etc). Alcohol is not permitted at the shelter. Weapons and alcohol will be confiscated by shelter staff and either turned over to law enforcement or disposed of.