Marty Gordon
Contributing writer
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office has developed a program focusing on individuals with disabilities in the community, helping those individuals better understand what to do during an emergency.
Anna Weed (center, climbing out a window) took part in the recent EFFORT event to teach citizens with special needs in the community how to deal with emergencies. Weed was shown by members of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s office how to exit a window in her home.
Last Saturday, those activities were on display at the Christiansburg Recreation Center.
The program is called “Enabling Friends For Our Response Teams,” commonly known as EFFORT. Capt. Kim Haug has been involved with the program since its inception.
“The sheriff’s office saw a need to connect with individuals in our community with special needs after realizing some concerns that families had that we (first responders) weren’t best prepared to handle situations concerning their loved ones,” she said.
The sheriff’s office joined forces with other area law enforcement and fire and rescue departments to provide an obstacle course adapted for all abilities. In addition, law enforcement explained the proper method for contacting 9-1-1, proper ways of dealing with injuries and understanding safe means for extinguishing fires.
Haug calls EFFORT two-fold, where not only do individuals with special needs become familiar and feel comfortable with first responders, but vice-versa, as first responders become familiar and comfortable with those in the community with special needs.
“We want to better understand their needs and how we can best serve them. We don’t want to make incidents (car crashes, fires, etc) worse by showing up because our uniforms and equipment scare them, we want to show up and make the situation better for them.,” she said.
A prime example is if light and loud noises are issues, emergency personnel need to understand that and hopefully alleviate the stress by reducing it as much as possible.
“We want them to feel safe when we get there, because they are familiar with the uniforms and the equipment we use. At the event, they sit in patrol cars, and with assistance of uniformed officers run an obstacle course. They use the tools on an ambulance and even use a fire hose to put out fires. So, if they ever have to encounter us due to bad situation, they know we are there to help them,” Haug said.
The sheriff’s office said it has received nothing but positive responses to the EFFORT event, and several volunteers said that they’ve made many new friends every year. The word is being spread about the event and it is growing.
More than 80 people attended the event and learned how emergency personnel can help them if needed.
Haug said the sheriff’s office plans to continue the annual event, hopefully expanding it throughout the New River Valley, with relevant training for first responders on dealing with citizens with special needs.
Saturday’s event, which is in its third year, was a collaborative event with the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services.
