The Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Division of Emergency Management, keeps a registry of people who would need assistance during an evacuation.  This is a voluntary registry designed to provide evacuation assistance for individuals with no other alternative and/or require special needs and care.  The information you provide to our office remains confidential. 

If a disaster threatens Marion county and requires your evacuation, our community alerting system will call the telephone number you’ve provided and give you a phone number to call if you need any assistance in evacuating.  You will be advised what Shelter is open and where it is located.  The County will attempt to provide transportation to an emergency public Special Needs Shelter, but these resources are limited.  When possible, you should make your own transportation arrangements.  It is strongly suggested that you pursue transportation with family, friends, neighbors, church organizations, etc.

When evacuating to a public Special Needs Shelter, you will need to bring all of your medications and medical equipment that you use daily.  Bring enough to last for at least two (2) weeks.  These supplies will not be supplied to you at the shelter.  There is a very limited amount of equipment and supplies that will be on hand for emergencies.  You will also need to bring your Disaster Supplies Kit, clothing, blankets, pillows, reading glasses, etc., to ensure your comfort.  Pets are not allowed in Public Shelters.  Vanguard High School is a pet friendly shelter, but it is not a special needs shelter.  If no other arrangements can be made for pet you will be allowed to bring it to Vanguard High School.  To ensure their safety, make arrangements for their sheltering ahead of time.  Ask your veterinarian about pet sheltering.

The purpose of the Special Needs Shelter is to make you as comfortable as possible during the impact phase of a disaster, and in the period immediately following impact.  Medical professionals, including Nurses staff these shelters.  Do not go to any shelter unless you have received official information that the shelter is open.  There are three (3) Special Needs Shelters in Marion County.                                                                    
                                               
Due to the time required to safely and efficiently evacuate the people with Special Needs population, the evacuation will be executed well in advance of an impending disaster.  You must be ready to evacuate when told to do so by emergency officials. 

To register for the Special Needs Assistance Program you must fill out the form that is on this web site and return it to our office. 

It is important that you fill out the form in its entirety, including your signature at the end of the form.  Your signature pre-authorizes emergency responders to enter your home during a post-disaster search and rescue activities.  To obtain more information, please contact our office:

Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Division of Emergency Management
Attn: Pat Stefanski
P.O. Box 1987
Ocala, FL 34478-1987
#352-369-8100
Fax 352-369-6762

Things you need to bring

Medications –

1. Prescribed (original) container
2. 14-day supply
3. Over-the-counter medications that are taken daily or often

Medical Equipment – any and all medical equipment the client normally uses on a day to day basis, i.e.:

1. Mobility equipment – canes, walkers, wheelchairs, crutches
2. Pulmonary equipment – oxygen tanks, tubing, concentrators and supplies
3. Diabetic equipment – glucose monitors, test strips, syringes
4. Sanitary pads – depends undergarments
5. Dressing – large bandages

Food/Drinks – People with special dietary needs should bring their appropriate food/drinks with them.

1. Specialty snacks
2. Water, juice
3. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in shelters

Clothing –

1. Under clothing and appropriate changes to be comfortable
2. Outer clothing and appropriate changes to be comfortable

Hygiene Articles –

1. Soap
2. Toothbrush and toothpaste
3. Towel and washcloth

Bedding/Sheets –

1. Cot or lounge chair
2. Bedroll or sleeping bag
3. Blanket
4. Pillow

Limited space is available in the shelters.  Please keep this in mind when packing your luxury items or items you would like to bring to occupy your time.