With the launch of Logan’s List in Habersham County, individuals with special needs and their loved ones have a powerful new tool to assist them. By voluntarily alerting public safety to their special needs ahead of time, E-911 is better able to provide an appropriate response in emergency situations.
Now Habersham first reported on Logan’s List in an article announcing its launch. This Q&A with Habersham County E-911 Records Manager Beth Alewine offers more insight into why the county adopted the program and its potential impact.
Q: How and why did Habersham County get involved with this?
A: Habersham County E-911 has always had a voluntary form that individuals could fill out and send back to the 911 center with information about their household, including household members and possible medical issues or anything else that responders may need to know.
Additionally, we have had instances in the past where we have kept contact information given by first responders or family members for elderly citizens with memory problems. This information was used if someone in the county made contact with the elderly citizen and they were having issues; then the 911 center could contact a family member or caregiver.
Logan’s Law is a great opportunity to expand our existing programs to help Habersham County by making sure first responders are better prepared to interact with citizens with special concerns.
Q: What types of challenges have your 911 dispatchers and other local first responders faced in the past due to a lack of knowledge of special needs people present in the home?
A: There are all types of special concerns that people may forget or not be aware of to advise a 911 dispatcher. For example, if someone calls in reference to a dispute with a neighbor but does not realize the neighbor is autistic and may have a potential for violence, excitability, and/or fear of lights and sirens, then this is a possible responder safety issue.
In the past, if the 911 dispatcher or another responder on the radio was aware of a history with an individual or if there was call history at a location, then they would advise responders of potential issues, but it sometimes depended on the memory of the dispatchers or responders.
Q: How many have signed up for this list so far?
A: Specifically for this new Logan’s Law voluntary database, we have not yet had anyone signup, but it was just released on June 2nd. We are including several existing citizens in the database for which we have contact information for family members or caregivers.
Q: How and where will this list be maintained? Is it part of a statewide database, or are these records maintained locally?
A: The records are maintained locally at the Habersham County E-911 Center. The forms and information in our CAD system will be retained for three years or until we are advised the information is no longer relevant if before the three-year period.
Once we receive a form, we input the information into our Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) program. We will enter the person’s name and any relevant information regarding special concerns into the CAD under a system called Global Subjects. This will allow any dispatcher to view information about the individual when the person’s name is entered into the CAD system if it is given by a 911 caller or first responder.
Additionally, we will place an alert in the CAD to pop up for specific addresses, such as the individual’s home address, with relevant information about the special concerns. By placing an alert on an address, it will allow the dispatcher to relay information about possible special concerns for individuals at specific locations, and they will be prepared once they are on scene.
Q: Why is it important that Habersham participate?
A: It is important to participate because information is powerful. We are here to help ALL the citizens of Habersham County and are striving to avoid preventable negative encounters with first responders. With this information, the 911 center is better able to inform responders of possible issues they may encounter, and they will be better equipped and prepared when responding to emergency calls.
Additionally, if someone with special concerns has an emergency, we may be better able to assist. For example, if we have an alert in our system that a member of a household is nonverbal and we receive a 911 call with silence on the line, we may be better able to inform first responders of other issues and possible medical issues per the Special Concerns Response Information Sheet.
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To sign up for Logan’s List, you will need a copy of the Special Concerns Information Sheet, available at numerous locations in the county, including police departments, county government offices, and local funeral homes. You may also download the form from the Habersham County website.
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