Calgary Police launch new Vulnerable Person Self-Registry

The Calgary Police has a new tool that will help officers dealing with emergencies involving people with a disability and are asking Calgarians that qualify to register.

The Vulnerable Person Self-Registry is a database that allows people to voluntarily submit their own information if they have a physical, mental or medical condition that means they may require special attention in an emergency.

The information in the self-registry can then be accessed by first responders through Calgary’s 9-1-1 centre, when a vulnerable person is in danger or distress due to an emergency or disaster. The information stored in the database will not be used as part of criminal investigations.

In order to be included in the self-registry, people who have a disability or their caretakers need to provide the person’s name, date of birth, physical description, contact information, methods of approach/communication, a photo of person’s face and a description of any life-threatening medical conditions. The information then has to be updated at least once each year or it is removed from the database.

The Vulnerable Person Self-Registry is an initiative that was spearheaded by the Diversity Resource Team in an effort to better-serve Calgary’s persons with disabilities. Consultations were held with several community organizations and within the Calgary Police Service to develop the program that will help ensure critical information about people with disabilities can be quickly accessed.

Calgarians can register by visiting www.calgarypolice.ca and searching for “Vulnerable Person Self-Registry.”