Special needs residents encouraged to alert emergency personnel

Dec. 01--Residents who require specialized care from emergency service responders are encouraged to submit a form to Allegheny County.

"It gives us a heads up," said Andy Marsh, Aspinwall emergency management coordinator.

Unique care might include people with mobility or vision problems, or those who can't communicate with police or fire responders.

"Basically, anything that would prevent you from getting up and leaving your house," Marsh said.

He urged residents to file the three-page special needs registry with the county.

A release from County Executive Rich Fitzgerald's office said there are 159,027 people in the county who have some type of disability, according to a 2012 survey by the U.S. Census Bureau.

This can include people with autism, those who are deaf, blind and those who have intellectual disabilities, Fitzgerald said.

Marsh said the registry was started to provide better preparation.

"If we need to bring special equipment, maybe it's a bariatric patient, then we know beforehand," Marsh said.

The form is voluntary. Authorized caregivers can complete the form for people that are unable to. Information will be shared with 911, fire and police.

"This is a great way for us to plan," Marsh said.

Tawnya Panizzi is a staff writer for the Tribune-Review. Reach her at 412-782-2121, ext. 2, tpanizzi@tribweb.com or @tawnyatrib.

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