In a proactive step to improve community safety during emergencies, the Bulloch County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and Public Safety have announced the launch of a new Vulnerable Population Registry.
This voluntary and confidential tool is designed to help first responders and emergency planners better identify and assist residents who may require additional support during events like hurricanes, severe weather, and prolonged power outages.
The registry is specifically targeted at individuals who may face significant challenges during a crisis. This includes those who are dependent on electricity-powered medical devices, residents with mobility or sensory impairments, people without reliable transportation, and individuals living alone with limited or no support networks.
"This registry gives us an actionable data set before a disaster strikes," said Bulloch County EMA Director Corey Kemp. "It enhances situational awareness, informs staging and deployment decisions, and allows for targeted welfare checks when normal communication is disrupted. By knowing in advance who may require assistance, we can prioritize limited resources, coordinate interagency support more effectively, and reduce preventable fatalities or injuries."
Director Kemp, who took the helm of the EMA in April 2024, brings extensive experience from his previous work with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA) and his long career as an EMT with Bulloch County. He is spearheading the initiative as part of a broader push to make Bulloch County more resilient.
All information collected through the registry will be confidential and shared only with Bulloch County EMA and local first responders for operational purposes during an emergency. It is not a guarantee of emergency response but rather a supplemental planning aid. Officials are emphasizing the importance of setting clear expectations for residents.
“It’s critical that residents understand up front what our role is during an emergency,” Kemp explained. “We cannot leave oxygen tanks or other equipment with them, and we cannot remain at their residence to provide ongoing care. When we can respond to their location, the only safe option will be to transport them to a hospital or other appropriate facility. This registry is a planning tool, not a guarantee of on-site support.”
Bulloch County EMA and Public Safety urge all eligible residents to consider participating. The registry’s primary function is to improve the county’s ability to respond effectively when it matters most, particularly in situations where evacuation or communication barriers exist.
Click here to register. Residents can follow the Bulloch County EMA and Public Safety Department on Facebook to learn more about this program.