Town officials urge those with special needs to sign up with the Rhode Island Special Needs Emergency Registry. Details are kept confidential and may help in an emergency. Visit Registry for more.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Matt Sheley at (401) 842-6543 or msheley@middletownri.com
SIGN ON WITH THE SPECIAL NEEDS EMERGENCY REGISTRY
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (DECEMBER 6, 2022) – When minutes count, it’s critical for police, fire and first responders to have the right information at their fingertips.
Does someone living in the home use oxygen, a respirator or other life support system? Maybe they rely on a wheelchair, scooter or cane to get around? Or have other special needs or issues that could impact how their call is handled?
By filling out the “Rhode Island Special Needs Emergency Registry,” Middletown Fire, Police and other emergency providers can have all those details readily available before even arriving at the scene to lend assistance and care.
This is especially important as winter begins its march and the weather starts to turn colder outside. For more information about the registry, visit https://mdl.town/SpecialNeedsRegistry online or call the non-emergency line of the Middletown Fire Department at 842-6500, ext.1150.
“I know for a fact that we rely on the Special Needs Emergency Registry any time there’s a major weather event on the horizon or some other type of emergency,” Town Administrator Shawn J. Brown said. “Our dispatchers will go right to that list and make calls, checking to see if everything is okay or anything we need to be aware of.”
In today’s world where concerns about confidentiality are paramount, the information from the registry is closely guarded.
Besides local and state first responders and emergency management agency officials, it is not shared with anyone else, considered completely private and secure.
As organizers explained, enrolling in the special needs registry does not guarantee assistance, the notification provides first responders additional time to consider how best to handle each individual case.
Those unable to complete the form are asked to have a family member, caregiver or authorized representative fill out the document. A paper form in Spanish or Portuguese is also available.
The town administrator Brown said the special needs registry form was just one of the many ways people can prepare for emergencies. He also encouraged people to pack emergency kits, have important financial documents at the ready and know where all critical credit cards and other information was at a moment’s notice.
“It’s one of those things people probably are tired of hearing, but it’s true,” Brown said. “Maybe it’s my Army training, but we were always told to be ready for anything and it makes sense in our personal lives too because that 30 minutes or hour you take preparing ahead can result in a lifetime of difference.”
Document Link: https://www.middletownri.com/DocumentCenter/View/6305/NYCU-Special-Needs-Registry
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