Browning’s Pharmacy and Healthcare Disaster Preparedness
We live in a state where hurricanes are a way of life. Hurricane season starts the first of June and continues to November of the same year. For this reason we would like to help you to be prepared.
Please have on hand at least 2 weeks worth of medication and medical supplies to supplement in case of a disaster.
For our oxygen patients, we will provide 2 additional oxygen tanks for evacuation purposes. These tanks will be available for pick up at our Melbourne retail store. The additional tanks should be returned to the store promptly after the storm has passed. Patients should consider the option to purchase additional oxygen tanks at the beginning of hurricane season as supplies may be limited once a warning is issued. Privately owned tanks should be filled at least 48 hours prior to the hurricane.
During the hurricane watch or warning our delivery service will not be moving or picking up equipment for purposes of evacuation. When renting equipment, it is your responsibility to safely store the equipment to protect it for future use.
To register for a Special Needs Shelter, go to: https://snr.flhealthresponse.com/
If you have any questions, please contact Browning’s at (321) 725-6320, your home health agency or the Brevard County Office of Emergency Management at (321) 637-6670.
Special Needs Registration
The Brevard County Special Needs Program is a space-limited program for which people with specific health and medical conditions can register, providing sheltering and transportation with the resources available in Brevard County.
The Special Needs Registry is a confidential listing of those people who meet program criteria and is updated on an annual basis. Patients with colostomy assistance needs, nebulizers, oxygen, feeding tubes, or Alzheimer’s disease are examples of medical criteria that are eligible for the registry.
While the Office of Emergency Management recommends sheltering with friends or family members, public shelters are available for those who do not have other alternatives.
Individuals who elect to use a Special Needs or other public shelters should bring with them items such as cots, bedding, medicine, medical supplies, and food supplies, preparing to be self-sufficient for 72 hours. The community pages of the telephone book provide lists of recommended items to take to a shelter. Special Needs registrants should also be accompanied by at least one caregiver.
Most shelters are located in public schools and offer neither privacy nor luxuries. Occupants’ comfort will be determined by their preparedness. For more information, call (321) 637-6670.