Leet officials compiling special needs registry

Aug. 09--Leet residents with special needs are asked to alert township officials so they can compile a list for emergency responders.

Information will be confidential, Manager Betsy Rengers said.

"It's so we know if somebody is in a wheelchair or for any reason we would have to go to their house and get them out in case of a flood or that kind of event," Rengers said.

The list will enable emergency personnel to provide extra help to residents who require specialized care. That could include people with mobility or vision problems, or those who can't communicate with police or fire responders.

"It would be anything that would prevent someone from leaving their house on their own," Rengers said.

A release from County Executive Rich Fitzgerald's office said there are 159,027 people in the county who have a 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, according to the release.

Rengers said the registry was started to provide better preparation that might include specialized equipment.

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

The special needs registry form is available at leettownship.org.

Tawnya Panizzi is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tawnya at 412-782-2121, ext. 2, tpanizzi@tribweb.com or via Twitter @tawnyatrib.

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