Municipal police forces on P.E.I. take 'big step forward' with MedicAlert partnership

Municipal police forces in Charlottetown, Summerside and Kensington have a new tool to help themfind and assist people in emergency situations.

Those forces have partnered with MedicAlert Foundation Canada, becoming the first police agencies in Atlantic Canadato provideofficers with accessto the organization's database ofcritical medical information when responding to emergencies.

Subscribers to MedicAlert can entertheir medical information or that of a family member into a database.

When an emergency arises, a police officer or hospital staff can look up aperson's MedicAlertidentification numberto instantlygetdetails about how to help them.

'Certainly going to help'

"It's a big step forward for us in P.E.I.," said Kensingtonpolice Chief Lewis Sutherland. "In our area, we have a lot of seniors, a lot of tourists every day and we do have issues and this is certainly going to help us."

Each subscriber's emergency profileincludes details like physical descriptions, wandering history, and behaviour management strategies like anxiety triggers and de-escalation techniques.

"Imagine having a tourist wander off somewhere and us being able to check a database right across the nation and be able to help this person reconnect with their loves ones," saidSummersidepolice Chief Dave Poirier.

The database also provides important medical information aboutpeople living with autism, Alzheimer's, dementia, mental-health related issues and cognitive brain injuries thatcould help first responders in an emergency.

"They will also have access to a photo, a recent photo, so they can identify and they will be aware of any medication or any other health information that can be helpful in such cases," said Francoise Faverjon of MedicAlert Canada.

"Time is always very important when you're in an emergency situation, especially if a child or an individual has wandered off," said Jenna Kenny of the Autism Society of P.E.I.

MedicAlertis a paid service people can subscribe to. Nearly5,000 Islanders have already paid the annual fee of $60 to register.

'Get the person home safely'

The new information will help officers prevent violent situations from developing,and provides de-escalation techniques catered to the particular person.

"It could be things like that flashing lights on our patrol carscould be something that escalate someone," said Charlottetown police Chief Paul Smith. "There could just be word phrases that would help you to de-escalate something and have someone lower that anxiety level and come with the officers."

The database will also have information that will help first responders with what they should say or what they should avoid saying when time is of the essence in an emergency situation.

"It can always be dangerous, especially if you're close to traffic or water," said Kenny.

"Having a MedicAlert bracelet where an individual in a community maybe has come across the person or whether it's a first responder as well, then at least they have a phone number they can call, have access to information, so they can get the person home safely."

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