In precarious times, it’s always important to have a contingency plan. The Fairfax County Special Needs Registry offers just that, and has been recognized as a “Promising Practice” by the National Association of County and City Health Officials Model Practice Initiative for its comprehensiveness.
The Registry allows residents who have specific medical needs, such as disabilities, or social needs, such as pets or difficulties with English, to notify the county government so that agencies can make special plans with local agencies to serve these residents in the event of an emergency.
“It was quite a stimulating effort,” said John Hudson of the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management. “All the department pulled together and came up with a good plan.”
Recent natural disasters made the need for such a registry very clear. “After Katrina and after Rita what they found was that, of the people who died, 70 percent fell into the special needs categories,” Hudson said. The registry will be used for any emergencies that mandate evacuation, such as flooding, severe storms, or gas leaks.
The Model Practice Database is an online, searchable resource with descriptions of public health practices across the nation. It allows health officials to learn from their colleagues’ mistakes and successes, so that emergency planners will always be prepared. Residents may register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/specialneeds.
