What is the Special Needs Survey Tool?
The Special Needs Survey (SNS) Tool is an effort by county government to better identify those in our community who are most at risk during a disaster. In the emergency management field, these individuals are designated as part of the “special needs population”. The tool is a web based data collection device for these individuals. What makes an individual part of the special needs population? Berks County Emergency Management defines the special needs population as: “Individuals who are likely to require assistance in excess of that provided to the general public in a time of disaster, particularly in the event that large scale evacuation is necessary.” This could include those who are deaf, blind, bedridden, mentally impaired, without radio or television, or lacking transportation necessary to evacuate. What additional assistance should individuals entered in this database expect? The answer to this question depends on the nature of the emergency at hand. The intention of this tool is
