Special Needs Sheltering 
The Osceola Way 


Georgianne Cherry 
Florida Department of Health 
Osceola County Health Department 
Emergency Operations 


Georgianne_Cherry@doh.state.fl.us 



The High Notes 
.Emergency Operations 
.Sheltering Partnerships 
.Best Practices 
.Dedicated Shelters 
.Questions? 
The High Notes 
.Emergency Operations 
.Sheltering Partnerships 
.Best Practices 
.Dedicated Shelters 
.Questions? 

Governor Issues Evacuation Order for all 
Coastal Communities to Evacuate 
Governor Issues Evacuation Order for all 
Coastal Communities to Evacuate 

Promote, protect, and improve 
the health of all people in 
Florida. 
Florida Department of Health 
Mission 
Promote, protect, and improve 
the health of all people in 
Florida. 
Florida Department of Health 
Mission 

And then Disaster Strikes! And then Disaster Strikes! 

Disaster Activation 

• 
Emergency Management Activates 
• 
Activation of Emergency Plans for 
Partner Agencies 
• 
Special Needs Sheltering Activities 
Ramp Up 
• 
Shelters are Prepped for Opening 

Definition of Special 
Needs Shelter Clients 


“One who needs assistance during 


evacuations and sheltering 
because of physical or mental 
handicaps” 


Chapter 252.355, FS 


The level of care goes beyond basic 
first aid 



Types of SpNS Evacuees 



• 
Oxygen Dependent 
• 
Hospice 
• 
CPAP 
• 
Incontinence 
• 
Nebulizer 
• 
Various stages of
Treatments 

mild dementia 

• 
Ambulatory• 
Special Needs
needing ADL help 

Children

• 
Non-Ambulatory 
• 
Many very frail
• 
Walkers 
• 
Wheelchairs elderly 
• 
Complicated • 
Dialysis (stable) 
medication 
• 
Wound Care
regimens 


Cooperation & Support Cooperation & Support 

Special Needs Partners 



• 
Osceola Council on Aging 
• 
American Red Cross of Central FL 
• 
School District of Osceola County 
• 
Osceola Emergency Management 
• 
Osceola County Animal Control 

Support Partners 
.Fire/Rescue 
.Law Enforcement 
.Utilities 
.Property Appraiser 
.Local Hospitals 
.Dialysis Centers 
.Local Volunteer Groups 
Support Partners 
.Fire/Rescue 
.Law Enforcement 
.Utilities 
.Property Appraiser 
.Local Hospitals 
.Dialysis Centers 
.Local Volunteer Groups 

St. Cloud Senior Center St. Cloud Senior Center 

St. Cloud Senior Center 



• 
Completed in 2003 
• 
16,675 square feet 
• 
Includes a Large Stage and 
Natural Wood Dance Floor, State 
of the Art Sound System, Meeting 
Room Spaces, a Wrap Around 
Porch with Rocking Chairs, and a 
Commercial Kitchen 

St. Cloud Senior Center 

• 
Wind Speed Design for 140 mph 
• 
Hurricane Shutters 
• 
1 Generator that will Power the 
Entire Building 
• 
Loading Dock 
• 
Principle Shelter in 2004 
• 
Sheltering Supplies and Cots are 
Stored On-Site 

Osceola Council on Aging Osceola Council on Aging 

Osceola Council on Aging 



• 
Newly Completed 
• 
38,000 square feet 
• 
Includes a Multifunctional 
Activity Space, Large Commercial 
Size Kitchen, Administration 
Offices, Health Clinic, Day Care, 
Dementia Specific Daycare, 
Courtyards, and a Beauty Parlor 

Osceola Council on Aging 

• 
Wind Speed Design for 140 mph 
• 
Impact Resistant Windows and 
Doors 
• 
2 Generators that will Power the 
Entire Building 
• 
6,000 square foot Kitchen Can 
Handle 2,000 Meals Daily 
• 
Sheltering Supplies and Cots are 
Stored On-Site 

Osceola Council on Aging 


• 
Jimmy's Place 
• 
Inspired by a Volunteer for the 
Council on Aging 
• 
Creation of a Pet Shelter to 
Provide Boarding for the Pets 
of Elderly and Disabled Persons 
while their Owners are 
Hospitalized, or while they are 
in the Special Needs Shelter 

After The Storm 



• 
Community Outreach Teams 
• 
Oxygen Bar 
• 
Case Management 
• 
Verification of Home Being “Okay” to 
Return To 
• 
Transportation Home 
• 
Repatriation of Pets and Owners 
• 
Hot Wash 

Community Outreach Community Outreach 

Transporting SpNS Clients Transporting SpNS Clients 

......................................

Questions? Questions?