State makes emergency transportation available

Nursing homes in Georgia can sign up for help in transporting residents to safety in the event of a hurricane, the Savannah Morning News is reporting.

To take advantage of the offering, long-term care (LTC) facilities must sign agreements with their state and local emergency planners. The Georgia Emergency Management Agency will contract with private transportation providers for the evacuation service, which is intended to be a back-up to any contracts homes may have with other buses, vans or drivers. Facilities will pay for any services they use but will not be required to pay for services if they determine in advance that they are not needed.

Seventy-two hours before the expected arrival of a hurricane, facilities can decide whether they will need government assistance for transportation. Typically, nursing homes evacuate a day ahead of the general population.

LTC facilities in Georgia already are required to file emergency preparedness plans with the state.

Read the source article at savannahnow.com.

Related article: Disaster primer: When Mother Nature strikes

More disaster preparedness articles.

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