Georgia’s Medical Support Shelter: Hurricane Preparedness and Planning for Functional Medical Needs Individuals
Abstract
The Georgia Department of Public Health’s (DPH) Medical Support Shelter (MSS) is a state-run shelter designated to support coastal Georgia in the event of a hurricane that requires a mandatory evacuation. The MSS welcomes individuals living at home with functional medical needs. Previous preparedness plans and response efforts used long-term care facilities to shelter individuals with functional medical needs through district to district coordination. Due to the reduction of physical resources, DPH Emergency Preparedness and Response was tasked with establishing a new location and developing an operational strategy and plan.
The Medical Support Shelter annex was developed in 2023 after reviewing other states’ plans, best practices, and lessons learned. The plan was developed in conjunction with the GEMA At-Risk (Vulnerable) Populations: Evacuation Transportation Operations Plan and the Chatham County EMA Hurricane Operations Plan to support and assist coastal residents on the ‘Medical Needs’ evacuation registry.
The Georgia Department of Public Health, Division of Health Protection, Section of Emergency Preparedness and Response Medical Support Shelter Annex focuses on the specific responsibilities, tasks, staffing requirements and operational actions of a Medical Support Shelter.
Keywords
Planning, Preparedness, Functional Medical Needs, Vulnerable Populations, Mass Care, Sheltering
Georgia’s Medical Support Shelter: Hurricane Preparedness and Planning for Functional Medical Needs Individuals
The Georgia Department of Public Health’s (DPH) Medical Support Shelter (MSS) is a state-run shelter designated to support coastal Georgia in the event of a hurricane that requires a mandatory evacuation. The MSS welcomes individuals living at home with functional medical needs. Previous preparedness plans and response efforts used long-term care facilities to shelter individuals with functional medical needs through district to district coordination. Due to the reduction of physical resources, DPH Emergency Preparedness and Response was tasked with establishing a new location and developing an operational strategy and plan.
The Medical Support Shelter annex was developed in 2023 after reviewing other states’ plans, best practices, and lessons learned. The plan was developed in conjunction with the GEMA At-Risk (Vulnerable) Populations: Evacuation Transportation Operations Plan and the Chatham County EMA Hurricane Operations Plan to support and assist coastal residents on the ‘Medical Needs’ evacuation registry.
The Georgia Department of Public Health, Division of Health Protection, Section of Emergency Preparedness and Response Medical Support Shelter Annex focuses on the specific responsibilities, tasks, staffing requirements and operational actions of a Medical Support Shelter.
