In another step to better prepare this area for any future disasters, Emergency Risk Manager Amy Miller is seeking input about Barton County residents with special needs.
This can come from individuals, families or agencies that provide services to special needs individuals.
Miller explained that the Barton County Commission has entered into a memorandum of agreement for the Vulnerable Needs Registry with the Kansas Division of Emergency Management.
That registry is intended to help identify local residents who could be in need to special assistance in case of a disaster.
“The registry is a system that allows residents with special needs and facilities serving people with vulnerable needs the opportunity to provide information to assist in planning to meet their needs before, during and after emergencies,” according to information from Miller.
She explained that emergency care providers experienced, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the need to have more information going into a disaster about those individuals who needed help with mobility, or who would see their health deteriorate rapidly without electricity to help them keep oxygen, or who had other needs that would be hampered in a disaster setting.
It’s important that information about those needs to gathered before it is needed, Miller suggested.
Miller added, the information will be protected, so that it’s not available to just anyone.
For more information, contact Miller, 793-1919.
Also this week, the Barton County Commission:
• Approved letting bids for a narrow band radio project, which will come back to the commission later for bids to be considered.
• Commissioners approved the orders for tax refunds and abatements after it was determined that those had been double checked to make sure they were accurate.