AZ Community Action Teams

What is the First Responder Smart Card Program^TM?
Tri City Partnership, in cooperation with local First Responders (Police, Fire and EMS,) have developed the First Responder Smart Card Program^TM (FRSCP) This program offers a registration process, alerting First Responders that there is a Smart Card on site and an individual with special needs may be at the registered address. FRSCP includes training for First Responders on special needs, and how to better recognize and respond to an individual with special needs. This program also provides training for parents and providers on when to call first responders and what happens once the call is made.

There are currently three communities with the First Responder Smart Card Program^TM in place.

• Scottsdale, AZ  - Web Site
• Prescott Valley and the surrounding areas (Prescott, Dewey-Humboldt, Chino Valley, etc.) - Web Site

What is a Smart Card?
A Smart Card is a universal form, placed on the refrigerator in your home and in the glove box of your vehicle, that provides critical information to first responders concerning an individual with special needs. The Smart Card explains the special needs of the individuals in your home so they know what physical or mental challenges they may need to be aware of.

What is a First Responder?
First Responders are Police Officers, Firefighters, Emergency Medical Technicians, Paramedics, Ambulance Personnel, and any other personnel associated with an emergency response.

How does it Work?
Imagine that you've called 9-1-1 because you are experiencing a heart attack. The dispatcher will notify the First Responders that there is a call coming from a home that is registered with the First Responder Smart Card Program^TM.  Upon arrival, the First Responders will asses the emergency situation and check the refrigerator for the Smart Card. If you are unable to speak to the EMTs when they arrive, the Smart Card will explain to them about the special needs of others in the home.  For example, a firefighter or police officer will immediately understand that your 17 year old child is only able to comprehend at a 4 year old level, or that the belligerence of your spouse is due to  Alzheimer's, or that there is someone in the home that is paralyzed and not able to exit on their own.  It helps the First Responders know how to better recognize and respond to the needs of individuals with special needs which includes individuals with Developmental Disabilities and/or Mental Illness.

Who Can Register?
The First Responder Smart Card Program^TM can be used by anyone who has a home with an individual with any kind of special needs.  Individuals with a mental illness, physical disability, medical condition, or any other condition that a First Responder should be aware of can register program. 

Examples of individuals who might benefit from our program are:

• A child with a developmental disability who might not react as a typical child in an emergency situation i.e., Downs Syndrome, Cerebral palsy, Mental Retardation, Autism, Turrets Syndrome just to name a few

• People with physical challenges, non verbal communication, blindness, deafness, wheel chair bound etc.

• An adult with Alzheimer’s

• People with emotional or mental disabilities who aren’t able to express themselves

• Individuals who don’t understand or are unable to respond to a first responders requests

• Those with conditions that might be misinterpreted if their illness is not know to the First Responder, i.e. a Diabetic in insulin shock

Interested in Starting a new First Responder Smart Card Program in your Community? 

If you live out of the already established program areas and are interested in starting your own FRSCP please contact Commander L. A. Molinaro at  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

 
Assistance is provided for:

• Committee set-up
• Organizational meetings
• Training provided
• First Responder Smart Card Program master materials provided 

“First Responder Smart Card Program is a trademark of Tri City Partnership Inc., a Non-Profit Corporation." 

This project is supported in part by the Southwest Institute for Families and Children with Special Needs,Building Community Health in Arizona, Maternal and Child Health Grant and the AZ Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.