Clarkesville, GA – During the 2014 Winter Storm, Clarkesville Fire crews made their way through various parts of the City where citizens with known disabilities or medical conditions were located just to make sure they were ok. Along the way, it was discovered that many citizens were relieved just to know someone knew they were there. This subsided fear that they were isolated from neighbors and families who could not reach them if something were to happen. From that day came the Targeted Assistance Plan.
TAP is a program by which individuals, who may be considered a part of the vulnerable population in Clarkesville, can be added to a database and extra assistance provided to them in times of disaster or local emergency.
For example: A citizen of Clarkesville, Jane Doe, is an elderly woman with some medical issues that affect her mobility and at times makes her fragile. A severe thunderstorm rolls through the area knocking out power and restricting transportation in the area where Mrs. Doe lives. If Mrs. Doe is on our registry, fire crews will make a targeted visit or phone call to her home to check on her well-being even if her property was not directly affected or damaged. We will also contact her family to let them know her status. This of course would be done after mitigating the obviously affected areas.
TAP is designed for those City of Clarkesville residents with underlying medical conditions which make them more vulnerable to a state of emergency. Conditions such as severe diabetes, debilitating arthritis, special medical needs children, home oxygen users, to mention a few.
TAP is currently open to those residing inside the Clarkesville City limits and will be utilized only in a state of emergency, not a daily event. States of emergency that could activate TAP would include, damaging thunderstorms, tornadoes, floods, fires, severe snow or ice storms, power outages, extreme cold or heat, as well as any other situation that creates a state of emergency as declared by the Mayor.
Registering for TAP is easy. Beginning February 8, 2015, simply send an email to [email protected] requesting registration information. You will be guided through a simple process from there. Those without access to email can call (706)754-2024 to register.
TAP is a service that is free to the citizens of Clarkesville and is provided at no cost to the taxpayers.
Information provided to the TAP program will be kept confidential and only be accessed by authorized personnel during a state of emergency.
Our desire is to provide vulnerable residents of Clarkesville and their families, who may not reside here, with a further layer of protection and peace of mind in times of disaster or local emergency.
