Special Needs Shelter

Pasco County Special Needs Shelters

The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County has two special needs shelters:

1. West Pasco Special Needs Shelter: Located at the Mike Fasano Regional Hurricane Shelter in Hudson.
2. East Pasco Special Needs Shelter: Located at Wiregrass High School in Wesley Chapel.

A special needs shelter should be used as a place of last refuge. If the client has a caregiver, the caregiver MUST accompany the client and MUST remain with the client at the special needs shelter.

Resources

• Special Needs Shelter Fact Sheet (PDF, 316 KB) - English
• Special Needs Shelter Fact Sheet (PDF, 295KB) - Spanish
• Pasco County Disaster Preparedness Guide (PDF, 15.3 MB) - English
• Pasco County Disaster Preparedness Guide (PDF, 16.2 MB) - Spanish
• Pasco County Emergency Management
• Pasco County Evacuation Zones Map
• Pasco County Special Needs Registry

Registration versus Reservation

Register Online for a Special Needs Shelter

There’s been some confusion with the process of registering for a special needs shelter. Many people are under the impression that once they’ve registered, they’re automatically reserved a bed in the special needs shelter during an emergency such as a hurricane. Here’s what you need to know:

• Registration does NOT guarantee you a reservation at a special needs shelter.
• You must register BEFORE the hurricane season begins.
• If you are in an evacuation zone and have registered, Pasco County Emergency Management will contact you to confirm that you will be reporting to a special needs shelter.
• If needed, upon request, Pasco County Emergency Management will provide transportation to and from the special needs shelter.

Qualifications

*There is not enough space available at the shelter for caregivers to use air mattresses.

Who qualifies to be in a special needs shelter?

• Oxygen dependent
• Electrical dependent for medical equipment
• Insulin dependent diabetics who require minimal assistance
• Minor wound care dressing
• Memory impaired/dementia patients

Some examples of those who may not be suitable for a special needs shelter are:

• Tracheotomy patients
• Recent unstable cardiac patients
• Bed-bound patients
• Obese patients
• Ventilator patients
• High-risk pregnancy within four weeks of delivery or in active labor

What To Pack

* There is not enough space available at the shelter for caregivers to use their own air mattresses. 

If a client is qualified and suitable for a special needs shelter, here’s what the client needs to bring with them during an evacuation:

• Caregiver
• Bed sheets, blankets, and pillow for client's bed
• Client’s prescription and non-prescription medication (with original bottle) needed for 7-30 days
• Supplies and medical equipment for the client’s care and the supply and equipment list from the home health agency
• Phone, pager, and emergency numbers for the client’s physician, pharmacy, and oxygen supplier (if applicable)
• Oxygen tanks and concentrator to get to and from the shelter safely
• CPAPs and nebulizers
• Name and phone number for the client’s home health agency
• Copy of the client’s plan of care
• Original yellow do not resuscitate (DNR) form signed by physician, if applicable
• Identification, current address and insurance card
• Special diet items (e.g. dialysis patients), non-perishable food for 7-10 days
• Glasses, hearing aids and batteries, prosthetics, walkers and/or wheelchairs, and any other assistive devices
• Personal hygiene items for 7-10 days
• Extra clothing for 7-10 days
• Flashlight and batteries
• Closed-toe shoes
• Self-entertainment and recreational items, like books, magazines, quiet games, etc.

Some important things to remember:

• If the client has a caregiver, the caregiver must accompany them, if possible.
• Caregivers who regularly assist the clients in the home are expected to continue to provide the same care in the shelter. 
• Each caregiver will be provided a chair at their client’s bedside. 
• Service animals are allowed in the shelter and may remain with their owners. Emotional support animals are also allowed in the shelter but will be housed in a separate shelter area; clients may spend time with their emotional support animals in this separate area. Please bring food, water, leash, and crate for your animal.
• Bring personal snacks, drinks and any special dietary foods for 7-10 days. It is possible only sparse meals will be provided. 
• It tends to be cold in the shelter, so bring warm clothes, like a sweater or jacket, and an extra blanket for your caregiver.
• All items brought to the shelter must fit under your bed.

Preplanning is essential for everyone’s safety. Make your emergency plans BEFORE there’s an evacuation. Don’t wait until a hurricane is coming to register for a special needs shelter!