back to disaster preparedness guide home page

People with special needs

Elderly, physically, mentally or sensory disabled, visually or hearing impaired residents or those who need supplemental oxygen should register for the People with Special Needs (PSN) program with Volusia County Health Department. The program provides assistance during evacuations.

PSN evacuees should be accompanied by a caregiver if this type of assistance normally is needed. 

PSN shelters are not for people who need 24-hour dedicated care, a hospital bed, ventilator, other complex care, or isolation patients. These individuals should discuss other shelter arrangements with their physician or home health service provider or caregiver.

PSN evacuees should contact Volusia County Animal Services at (386) 248-1790 to discuss assistance for sheltering pets.

PSN Registration for Volusia County residents
You will need the Acrobat Reader to view the files below. If you do not have a copy you may download it for free here.
PSN registration form and instructions

For more information on special needs shelters go to: http://www.volusiahealth.com/SpecialNeeds.asp

If you prefer to have the form mailed to you may request one by contacting:
Volusia County Health Department
121 West Rich Avenue
DeLand, FL 32720
1-866-600-9416

Evacuees may need to stay at a shelter for several days during an emergency. Since space is limited, only bring:

• Special dietary food, snacks or comfort food.
• Bedding, pillow, blanket, etc.
• Extra clothing.
• Medications and medical supplies.
• Oxygen supplies or arrange with your oxygen company to deliver to the designated PSN shelter.
• Toiletry items.
• Flashlight and batteries.
• Diapers, infant and elderly/disabled necessities.
• Time occupier such as books, magazines, games or cards.
• Important papers, credit cards, cash and identification.

Transportation to shelters
Votran, Volusia County’s public transportation service, and the Volusia County School Board provide free transportation to public shelters. All Votran bus stops are evacuation assembly points during a declared emergency evacuation order. If PSN evacuees cannot reach a regular bus stop, they must call Votran to arrange transportation.

Bus space is limited. Carry on items are limited to a pillow, blanket and one carry-on bag (not larger than 22”x16”x8”).

This guide provides a list of the PSN shelters and telephone numbers for more information on the PSN Program, pet sheltering, and transportation.

Telephone numbers for Votran are:
Daytona Beach (386) 322-5100
West Volusia (386) 943-7050
New Smyrna Beach (386) 424-6810

Returning home
Every effort will be made to allow evacuees to return to their home and businesses as quickly as possible. Re-entry to evacuated areas will be authorized based on public safety, security and operational needs of search and rescue teams. The re-entry policy will be established as soon as possible and with as few restrictions as possible. The decision to establish general re-entry will be evaluated through continuous coordination among county and state agencies, municipal law enforcement
agencies and adjacent counties and will be announced through the news media.

back to disaster preparedness guide home page

 

 

Comments or questions?
E-mail the