Special Needs Population Registry

The Special Needs Registry is a cooperative public safety program in Will County.  It is designed to ensure the safety of those residents of Will County that are most vulnerable to emergencies and disasters, the elderly and infirmed and those with various disabilities. 

No matter where you live, your community may experience a natural or man-mad disaster -- a tornado, flood, winter storm, fire, or a nuclear power plant accident.  In any type of disaster, individuals and families should prepare and know what to do.  Community officials plan to aid and protect in the recovery of the community after a disaster.  The special needs registry is a planning tool to assist our officials to know where our citizens reside that may need a little bit more assistance during a disaster.  Completing the registry does not mean that immediate assistance will be automatically sent to you in a disaster.  But it is an important tool for officials to know what other assistance our community needs in a disaster. 

The information you provide about your health and medical condition may be shared with the health department, police, fire and other emergency workers to assist them in responding to a disaster or emergency.  You may revoke your consent to sharing information at any time by sending a written request to Will County Emergency Management Agency, 302 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432.  Providing this information does not insure that you will receive special treatment, but your needs will be given consideration. 

Special Needs Population - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

• I have a Special Need:  What can I do to help myself before, during, and after an incident?
  
  • BEFORE AN INCIDENT - prepare an emergency communications plan and put together an emergency supply kit.  Complete a "FILE OF LIFE" and post it on your refridgerator.  Remember to keep it updated. 
  • DURING AN INCIDENT - pay close attention to emergency officials in your area and follow instructions that they provide you. 
  • AFTER AN INCIDENT - check to make sure everyone in your household is okay.  Check to make sure your home is okay.  Call your out-of-state contact and let then know what has happened and if you're okay or not, so when others call, the information can be passed along.  Follow instructions given to you by emergency officials. 
  
  
• What is the Special Needs Population?
  
  A person or persons, who may have additional needs before, during, and after an incident in one or more of the following areas: 
  • Who have a disability 
  • Who live in institutionalized settings 
  • Who are elderly 
  • Who are children 
  • Who are from diverse cultures 
  • Who have limited English proficiency 
  • Who are Non-English speaking 
  • Who are transportation disadvantaged 
  
  
• Why do I need to complete a "File Of Life" and the Special Needs Registry?
  
  It is important to complete a File Of Life as it contains your medical information.  The magnetic pouch that comes with it makes it easy for you to hang on the side of your refridgerator.  Should you need an emergency medical/ambulance, paramedics know to go to your refridgerator to copy down information they need to relay to the hospital. 
  
  Should you need to evacuate during an incident, be sure to take your File Of Life with you.

• Family Member / Independent Resident - A person or persons, who may have additional needs before, during, and after an incident.  This may include persons that have a disability, are transportation disadvantaged, live in institutionalized settings, children, are from diverse cultures, have limited English proficiency and/or non-English speaking. 
• File Of Life - A File Of Life contains your medical information.  The magnetic pouch that comes with it makes it easy for you to hang on the side of your refridgerator.  Should you need an emergency medical/ambulance, it gives paramedics the proper medical information they need to relay to the hospital.  Should you need to evacuate during an incident, be sure to take your File Of Life with you. 
• Seniors - Advanced-aged person or persons, or those whom rely on wheelchairs or motorized scooters, walkers, or may be transportation disadvantaged, and may have additional needs before, during, and after an incident. 

For more information, or to sign-up/register for any of the above programs, please visit our Special Needs Registry site.  

If you have any questions, or would like more information about the Will County Special Needs Registry program, please contact our office.