November 23, 2009: Special Needs or Chronic Conditions
If you or your child has a chronic illness or special needs, there are several steps that you can take to better prepare for medical emergencies. The most important is the preparation of an emergency treatment plan. Other steps (described briefly below) include:
- Meeting with us to discuss you or your child’s condition
- Registering information concerning you or your child’s condition with the New Hampshire 911 emergency communications center
Also consider:
- Arranging for your child’s teachers to receive basic emergency training
- Preparing a "Go Bag" to take to the hospital
- Anticipating you or your child's medical needs in the event of a disaster
For more information, see Emergency Treatment Plans for Kids with Special or Chronic Health Issues.
Come Chat With Us
Call us or stop by the station to discuss your or your child’s condition. Based on the information you provide to us, we can inform our EMTs, and can suggest other steps that might be appropriate (see below). We would also be happy to provide you with detailed information concerning our capabilities. Each of the communities that we serve also has a fire department that provides first responder EMS services, and we would suggest you contact them as well (their websites can be located on our “Other Local Resources” page under the Community Resources menu).
Develop an Emergency Treatment Plan with Your Physician
You should discuss with your physician or specialist the development of an Emergency Treatment Plan. The plan should contain a brief explanation about you or your child's condition and identify medications and allergies. It also tells emergency medical providers how you or your child's condition might affect or alter the care provided. It might specify, for example, higher doses of medications than would typically be administered by paramedics. We would be willing to provide you with input regarding the development of a plan. Click the link above for more information regarding emergency treatment plans.
Post Information with NH 911 Emergency Communications
You can provide a brief description of you or your child's condition to NH 911 Bureau of Emergency Communications. The Bureau can be reached at 603.271.6911. Thereafter, when you dial 911 from your home, the information that you have provided will appear on the dispatcher's screen, and will be provided to emergency responders.
