Editor,

In collaboration with E911, Vermont 211 and the United Ways of Vermont, Green Mountain United Way is participating in a new statewide initiative to identify those in our community who would need special assistance in an emergency or evacuation. This could include, but is not limited to, people who need the use of a wheelchair, have unique transportation needs, are blind or hearing-impaired or have a service animal.

If you know someone with a disability, whether physical or mental, we are asking you to help us gather the information needed so that it can then be turned over to E911 for entry into their database. This will enable all first responders to have the information immediately upon receipt of a call to particular homes in an emergency situation. Those first responders will know firsthand if special equip-ment or transportation or any other considerations will be needed.

For reasons of privacy, the information provided will then be destroyed and only E911 will have the data in their system.

The forms that need to be completed can be found at www.gmunitedway.org/e911.shtml where you will see links for three different geographic areas. They can be completed online and emailed to us at info@gmunitedway.org or printed, completed and mailed to us to the address shown on the bottom of the form. Please encourage your disabled family member or friend to complete a form, or you can assist them with the form. If you have any questions or do not have access to a computer, please contact any one of our offices in Montpelier at 802-229-9532, in St. Johnsbury at 802-745-0101 or in Derby Line at 802-647-2148.

Thanks for your help in this very important project.

Nancy Zorn
Executive Director, Green Mountain United Way