PARMA HEIGHTS, Ohio -- In an effort to provide first responders with additional disability information in the case of an emergency call, Parma Heights is now offering residents the opportunity to complete an ADA residential form.
“Let’s say you have family who lives in Parma Heights with a disabled son in a wheelchair,” police Detective Adam Sloan said. “If there’s a fire, then that information will show up for officers, EMS or fire (personnel) sent to that house.
“Residents don’t have to do it (fill out the form), but they can if they feel it’s something important we should be aware of,” he said.
“If we kind of have an idea of what we’re walking into, then we have a better idea of how to handle it when we get there.”
Police Chief Steve Scharschmidt supports the new initiative.
“This information will aid first responders by providing them with vital information about the people they are about to encounter when responding to a residence,” Scharschmidt said.
“This form covers any form of disability, which can only improve the service that we provide. Residents should be aware that this is voluntary and confidential information.”
The ADA residential form was a recommendation by Krista Allison. Earlier this year, Sloan met the Miss Wheelchair Ohio 2022, who has a nerve disorder, at a Northeast Ohio police officer event.
“Krista explained she works with communities to improve accessibility for the disabled,” Sloan said.
“In an effort to aid safety forces during times of crisis, Krista developed a voluntary form that allows our residents to provide us with information about any friends, family or relatives that reside within their household who may suffer from some form of disability.”
The form is available to residents at the police station. A digital copy also can be downloaded.
Information will be entered into the computer-aided dispatch system as special attention for that address to be used by the Parma Regional Dispatch Center.
“This is voluntary and protected information,” Sloan said. “It’s not subject to public records requests. Also, the form mentions you don’t receive special treatment or quicker response time.”
As far as disabilities are concerned, the detective said this can include the autistic community and people dealing with mental health issues.
“Something we’ve seen a lot of now is mental disabilities, where somebody walks away from the house and officers come across that person or child, who maybe they don’t talk too well to strangers. So there’s different information the homeowner or guardians can give us on how to handle more or help facilitate dealing with that person.
“Also, if there are certain things that trigger them, like loud noises or flashing lights, or if there is a person we can call to talk to that individual to go back home,” he said.
“There are so many different applications and information out there that we’re not aware of that this could potentially help in a situation like that.”
Read more news from the Parma Sun Post.