Residents With Special Needs Can Register for Emergency Assistance

A rare and strong on Tuesday and a powerful hurricane on the way have pushed emergency preparedness to the fore in Middletown this week.

On Tuesday, the Town of Middletown website posted a form to encourage anyone with special needs to register online through the state Department of Health website.

As Hurricane Irene gains strength in the Bahamas and moves north, with landfall in Middletown likely by Sunday, local emergency management officials are encouraging the community to help make sure all Middletown residents are properly prepared for natural disasters.

Regardless of age or abilities, local and state emergency management officials are recommending that all individuals with chronic health conditions, disabilities, or other special needs, or who might require mobility assistance during natural disasters, emergencies and evacuations, register online.

According to Chief Ronald Doire, who also serves as director of the Middletown Emergency Management Agency, the Rhode Island Department of Health and the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (REMA) developed the registry so that emergency workers can quickly and easily identify residents who require special assistance during emergencies.

Such incidents might include natural disasters and storms, fires, gas leaks, floods or other types of accidents or evacuations.

Family members or others authorized to act on the person’s behalf may fill out the registry form for those who might need assistance, according to the letter posted on the town website Tuesday.

While enrollment in the registry does not guarantee assistance, it allows first responders to appropriately plan, prepare for, and respond to the needs of the community, the letter stated.

Who might register?

• Individuals who use life support systems such as oxygen, respirator, ventilator, dialysis, or a pacemaker, or are insulin dependent.
• Those with mobility disabilities and use a wheelchair, scooter, walker, cane, or other mobility device.
• People who are visually impaired, blind, hard of hearing, or deaf.
• Those who have speech, cognitive, developmental or mental health disabilities.
• Someone who uses a prosthesis.

A copy of the letter, also posted on the town website, is available to view in the image gallery at upper right.