Pinellas County updating Special Needs Evacuation Program registry for 2024 storm season

Pinellas County Emergency Management is updating its Special Needs Evacuation Program registry and calling all registrants within the next two weeks.

During emergency evacuations, the Pinellas County Special Needs Evacuation Program provides transportation and sheltering for residents with medical, functional or special transportation needs during emergencies.

County staff, local fire departments and volunteers will call the nearly 4,500 program registrants to ensure their information is up to date and they are still eligible for the program. Callers will contact registrants from Tuesday, Feb. 20, to Friday, Feb. 23,between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and from Monday, Feb. 26, to Wednesday, Feb. 28, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

“It’s critical that everyone answer these calls,” said Pinellas County Emergency Management Director Cathie Perkins. “This process will ensure that each person’s information is updated in the system so that we can quickly reach and help residents during emergency evacuations.”

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.

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.