Horizon Health Program Identifies Vulnerable Individuals During Emergency

Emergency responders can face unique challenges when attending to children and adults who have special needs.

To ensure favorable outcomes, Horizon Health Emergency Medical Services (EMS) offers a free service to Edgar and Clark County residents called Hero Helper. The program helps emergency crews quickly identify whether a home or vehicle emergency involves a person with special needs so they can respond accordingly.

“One in five Americans lives with a disability every day, and the chances of them needing emergency services is great,” said Adam Webb, Horizon Health EMS manager. “It’s very important that we, as first responders, know how to care for them.”

Hero Helper offers three ways to ensure the safety of individuals with special needs during an emergency:

In the Home

A Hero Helper decal is placed on a window or door, indicating that a person with special needs is inside. Important medical information – placed inside a magnetic sleeve protector marked Hero Helper – is attached to a refrigerator for easy reference.

In a Vehicle

A Hero Helper decal is placed inside a vehicle window, alerting first responders that a person with special needs is inside. A Hero Helper seat belt cover, equipped with a pocket containing important medical information, identifies which occupant has special needs.

“The decals, along with the seat belt covers, enable first responders to recognize they are caring for a patient who may resist help and/or cannot tell them what is wrong,” Adam explained.

911 Integration

Families can complete an online form to identify that someone inside their home has special needs. This enables EMS crews to deliver the fastest, most appropriate care prior to arriving on scene.

To enroll in the Hero Helper program in Edgar and Clark Counties, visit MyHorizonHealth.org/HeroHelper. For more information, email HeroHelper@myhorizonhealth.org or call 217-466-4131.