State STEER registry explained to Leon Valley residents; registration is free and voluntary

Samantha Fabian, program manager for the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEER) and the Evacuation Tracking Network, described how residents can register to help local emergency planners during disasters.

Fabian said STEER — previously known in some places as the Transportation Assistance Registry (TAR) — collects information about people who may need assistance with transportation, mobility, or medical and functional needs during an emergency. "It's a registry that's free for Texans of all ages," she said, noting that the system is used primarily for elderly residents and people with access and functional needs but accepts registrations for any age.

Registration is voluntary and annual. Fabian explained that required fields include basic contact information and address; additional questions cover medical equipment, caregiver contact information, pet needs, and transportation status. Registration methods include the online portal (steer.texas.gov) and a paper form, and the state partners with 2‑1‑1 to provide phone enrollment for people who need assistance.

Fabian said STEER does not guarantee services but provides local emergency managers with better visibility into vulnerable community members during a disaster. Local emergency management coordinators and appointed city officials have controlled access to registry data through a secure portal; Fabian emphasized the importance of consent and yearly re‑enrollment to ensure records remain up to date.

She left flyers and registration forms and encouraged residents to practice household emergency plans and maintain a “go bag” with essentials. The presentation closed with managers offering to assist residents who needed help with online enrollment.

For more information or to register, Fabian directed residents to the STEER website and provided contact cards at the event.