Helping community members with special needs prepare for emergencies

Erie, PA  - September is National Preparedness Month. The Erie County Department of Public Safety invites residents of Erie County who may need special or additional support during a police, fire or medical emergency to register in the Erie County 911 Special Needs Registry at eriecountypa.gov/specialneedsregistry.

"The information entered into this registry will be made available to 911 dispatchers so they can tell first responders like fire fighters, police officers, and medical personnel what type of support may be needed," said John Durlin, 911 coordinator at the Erie County Department of Public Safety.

The registry is open to all ages. It is voluntary to use the registry. All information will be kept private. Some examples of persons who may need additional or special support during an emergency are:

• Children and Youth with Special Needs
• Persons with Disabilities
• Persons with Chronic Medical Conditions
• Persons with Mental Health Conditions
• Elderly Persons
• Non-English Speakers

A parent, authorized guardian or someone with power of attorney can sign up for persons who are unable to do so for themselves.

For questions, contact the Erie County Department of Public Safety at 814-451-7920 or public.safety@eriecountypa.gov.

Children with Special Needs

To help families that have children and youth with special health care needs prepare for emergencies, the Erie County Department of Health is providing free signs with the message "Child with Special Needs."

"Placing these signs at a prominent window in your home or the outside of your vehicle can help alert emergency responders so they can prepare accordingly," said Lauren Carson, epidemiology research associate at the health department.

The "Child with Special Needs" signs are available as window clings for homes and stickers for vehicles (cars, trucks, boats, RVs, etc.). The signs are available at Public Libraries of Erie County.

• Albion
• Albion Area Public Library, 111 E Pearl St., Albion 814-756-5400
• Corry
• Corry Public Library, 117 W Washington St., Corry 814-664-7611
• Edinboro
• Edinboro Branch Library, 413 W Plum St., Edinboro 814-451-7081
• Erie
• Blasco Memorial Library, 140 E. Front St., Erie 814-451-6900
• Erie County Public Library Bookmobile 814-451-6935
• Lincoln Community Center, 1255 Manchester Rd., Erie 814-451-7085
• Lawrence Park Township
• Lawrence Park Branch Library, 4212 Iroquois Ave., Erie 814-451-7085
• North East
• McCord Memorial Library, 32 W Main St., North East 814-725-4057
• Millcreek
• Millcreek Branch Library, 2088 Interchange Rd., Suite 280, Erie 814-451-7084
• Girard
• Rice Avenue Community P. L., 705 Rice Ave., Girard 814-774-8286
• Union City
• Union City Public Library, 2 Stranahan St., Union City 814-438-3209
• Waterford
• Waterford Public Library, South Park Row, Waterford 814-796-4729