Vacation Premise Alert

Going on a vacation is a wonderful opportunity, but worrying about safety issues when traveling with someone who has special needs can be overwhelming for families. The Vacation Premise Alert Form was developed to help families and caregivers provide critical medical and behavioral information to First Responders when traveling away from home. The Vacation Premise Alert Form was developed in 2003 by myself, Susan Rzucidlo and Police Chief Kevin McCarthy, to date I've not heard of a single family who had it turned away by any police department when they attempted to provide this information.

    You will need to take time to explain to the Officer about the need for a Premise Alert for your family member and how you would like that information provided to officers. Ask the Officer to announce the Premise Alert and about the special needs of your family member at shift change and to post the form nearby in case an emergency call needs to be made. It is unlikely that a department would share this information with the county 911 Center for a short vacation. If the special needs your family member lives with is medical in nature you can ask the Police Department to fax a copy of your form to the EMS department so they have it on hand. Ask for a direct phone number to the police station and program it into your cell phone for the duration of your trip.

When your family is going on vacation, print and fill this form out and attach a recent photo of your special needs individual. Provide only the most important information for first responders regarding the special needs individual.

Where is asks for medical condition list only the most significant diagnosis.

Provide your VACATION ADDRESS NOT your home address. List a room number if appropriate.

Write a CELL PHONE NUMBER THAT YOU CARRY WITH YOU AS WELL AS A LAND LINE PHONE NUMBER OF THE ADDRESS YOU ARE STAYING AT. NOT Your home phone number. An additional contact person who can assist first responders will be helpful as well. That person could be a neighbor, family member, or case manager.

Upon arriving in the town where you are going to vacation, make one of your first stops the local police station. Ask to speak to a community relation’s officer.   Explain that you have a special needs individual and you will be in the area on vacation. Give them a copy of the form and ask them to let their officers know during shift change.

If you are staying in a resort ask the Front Desk Attendant, or the Concierge who is the most appropriate person at the resort to receive the information and if they are the ones who contact First Responders if there are services required outside of the resort. Also, ask who will act upon the information you are supplying.

When you leave, be sure to call to the Police Department or security staff to tell them they can destroy the form and to thank them for their assistance even if you didn't need to make an emergency call.

OTHER TRAVELING TIPS

The "CRITICAL MEDICAL INFORMATION FORM” can be found at www.papremisealert.com    That form includes spaces for medical information, your name, and additional contact #'s and names, preferred hospital, doctors name and number, a list of medicines and the best way to communicate. In the event, a caregiver or the driver is unable to provide necessary information to First Responders that form will give them basic information and assist them in their efforts. That form is freely downloaded and may be reproduced.

   Photo ID’s that show family and child together in a home setting. Both parents and child carry a copy in either a wallet or pocket. If a tantrum in a public setting occurs and the police or security guards come you will be able to prove that this child or adult is supposed to be with you. It could prevent a long wait in a security office or police station.

Teach your child carry a wallet and how to use an ID card.

Buy a medic alert bracelet and have them wear it. If they won't or can't you can string it through shoes or put it on a belt or zipper pull.