County Establishing Database for Vulnerable Residents

To help first responders better plan for Broward County’s most vulnerable residents in an emergency, the County, in cooperation with all municipalities, has launched a Vulnerable Population Registry. The Registry is for residents who do not qualify for a Special Needs shelter, or choose not to evacuate to a mass care shelter, but are disabled, frail or have health issues that would make coping after an emergency difficult.

In October of 2005, city and county agencies were confronted with many residents who struggled through Hurricane Wilma’s extended power outages. Many had difficulty picking up medications, groceries, or using stairways in multi-story buildings with out-of-service elevators. While the Registry does not guarantee priority response or services, it will help local governments be better prepared to respond to their most vulnerable residents after a disaster. Each city may use the Vulnerable Population Registry list in a different way, based on their city’s recovery effort.

Residents who consider themselves vulnerable can register online. Visit http://www.broward.org/ and click on Vulnerable Population Registry, or call the Broward County Call Center, 954-831-4000. A number of cities have already begun to promote the Registry on their web sites as well. Caregivers, relatives, neighbors and friends should suggest this registry to those who might be considered vulnerable during an emergency or storm. All information will be held in the strictest confidence, as required by state law.