This is in response to concerns raised by Brielle Daniels in her letter Aug. 7. Ms. Daniels’ concerns have been and continue to be addressed by this emergency manager and others throughout the state.

Citizens referred to in her letter are what we consider “special needs populations.” Although we work with this population’s primary service providers in developing emergency response plans to address their specific needs, there are, as Ms. Daniels points out, people without overseers who fall between the cracks.

This agency, which is responsible for emergency planning and response coordination, has long been in a dilemma about how to find out about “special needs populations” that don’t fall under an agency/organization’s care or supervision. Privacy laws severely restrict information that we, as emergency planners, should have access to in order to assure the safety of all citizens, not just the ambulatory and non-challenged ones. Those laws need to be amended to allow emergency responders and emergency planners access to information that Ms. Daniels has inquired about.

Despite the news media’s assistance in asking these special-needs persons to make their needs known to this agency, very few have.

The limited space in this letter doesn’t allow the specifics of emergency planning to be addressed here. Persons with questions or concerns about the challenges of special needs populations in emergencies or disasters, or other emergency planning issues, should call the Androscoggin County Emergency Management Agency.

Joanne G. Potvin, director,

Androscoggin County Emergency Management Agency