Community register gives peace of mind

ERIN PEARSON
GEELONG police are encouraging parents and carers of children with autism, down syndrome and other conditions to register their details as part of a new regional initiative.
Launching the Geelong Community Support Register on Wednesday Corio Police Senior Sergeant Adrian Bickley said the record would give police fast access to detailed information about a person and their health issues in an emergency.
The register until now only held personal information provided by those in need of community support including elderly persons and those living alone or in isolated locations.
Sen Sgt Bickley said the database would provide police with contact information, nicknames, physical descriptions, known routines, behaviour triggers and favourite attractions.
“In an emergency it’s sometimes difficult to pull that kind of information together quickly so having easy access to those details will be extremely valuable,” he said.
“Children with autism, for example, are sometimes known to wander off so the register offers parents and carers the confidence that medical and personal information can be securely accessed by emergency services staff if required.”
Volunteered information would be stored on a confidential database and only accessed by police, ambulance, hospital and fire services in an emergency.
Gateways Support Services chief executive officer Rosemary Malone said the initiative was fantastic.
“For families living with someone who has the potential to abscond or wander off they live with that fear all the time of the gate being left open. For them this will be so very positive,” she said.
“It’s great to know the police are there for people in that hour of need but this proactive measure could mean the difference between a good or tragic outcome.
For more information visit geelongregister.org.au.