Special Response Program
Jerry Durgan, Contributing Writer
Bamberg County
Emergency Services has
developed a program to assist
residents of all ages with
functional needs. The
program, "Project Special
Response," is designed to help
those with specific needs in
the event of an emergency. A
main focus of this program
includes a Functional Needs
Emergency Registry for
residents with disabilities,
chronic conditions, and other
healthcare needs such as use
of oxygen, respirator/ventilator, dialysis,
pacemaker, defibrillator, or
insulin-dependent; use of a
wheelchair, walker/cane,
prosthesis, or an assistance
animal, visually impaired,
legally blind, hard of hearing,
deaf, speech impaired, nonverbal,
or cognitively/developmentally
delayed.
The registry is completely
voluntary, and all information
obtained through this registry
follow all HIPPA laws and
regulations for privacy issues.
There are several ways
that you can sign up for our
functional needs registry. You
can fill out the form "ONLINE,"
you may download a
form that you can fill out,
which can then be mailed or
faxed, or you can contact
their office, and one will be
mailed to you. Please note,
this registry is currently only
for connecting information
with you on a LAND LINE
phone, not for cell phones or
many VoIP (voice over IP
phones, such as Magic
Jack/Skype) phones.
To be considered a
"Functional Needs" citizen in
Bamberg County and to
participate in "Project Special
Response", you must be able
to classify yourself into one of
the following categories:
Visually Impaired
Hearing Impaired or Deaf
Mobility Impaired
Developmental Disability
Mental Illness
Anyone with a medical
condition requiring human,
mechanical or service animal
assistance to accomplish the
activities of daily living, to
receive medication or
treatment or as a part of a
medical monitoring program.
Non-English speaking
Low Literacy
Anyone without transportation to a safe destination
Seniors with disabilities and functional needs
Isolated populations
Once Bamberg County
Emergency Services receives
your application, it will be
reviewed to make sure the
classification of "Functional
Needs" is met.
There is no substitute for
personal preparation. In a
disaster, government and other
agencies may not be able to
meet your needs. It is
important for all residents to
make individual plans and
preparations for their care and
safety in an emergency.
To register please
download and send the
registration form or submit
your information on-line where it will be validated by
the EM coordinator.
