If you or someone you know has a health condition or disability, it would be wise to look into signing up for the Illinois Premise Alert Program (PAP), according to the Lake Zurich Fire Rescue Department. 

By doing so, individuals with special needs can benefit from first responders being aware of their health issues prior to arriving on the scene.  People will also be able to be located more rapidly if an emergency occurs.

The program is two-tiered; registration enables vital health information to be loaded confidentially into a database and shared between police, fire and ambulance personnel.

Individuals can also receive a flashing Emergency Home Beacon Bulb to be installed in an outside light fixture, which helps emergency responders locate them more quickly.  

"This helps us to deliver the best and most informed care possible when responding to a 911 call," said Terry Mastandrea, chief of the Lake Zurich Fire Rescue Department.

The Illinois Premise Alert Program was signed into law on Aug. 28, 2009. 

Mastandrea said special needs individuals are those who have or are at increased risk for a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional conditions.  

"These individuals would require addition health and related services, and when they sign up for PAP their conditions are documented and loaded into dispatch," said Mastandrea. "The information is shared through the computer aided dispatch (CAD) system."

Some examples of such health conditions are those who are on life support apparatus, individuals with blood disorders or severe diabetes, physically disabled persons or anyone else who would be not be able to self-rescue during an emergency if they were suffering a health crisis. 

Mastandrea said even senior citizens can register if they feel they would need extra assistance.

The Lake Zurich Rotary Club partnered with the fire department to provide the 'home beacon' bulbs free of charge so individuals who place a 911 call can be more easily located.

"Instead of emergency personnel searching for an address, the Emergency Home Beacon Bulb can be set to flash so that the address can be found quicker," said Rich Politowicz, Rotary Club member and past president who helped to pilot the program.

Politowicz said the bulbs can be installed in a front outside light and when the switch is turned on three times, the bulb will go into a blinking mode.

When the emergency has been handled, the bulb can go back into normal mode and serve as a regular light bulb.

"An added benefit is that the beacons are provided by the rotary free of charge to those who qualify," said Politowicz.

The rotary club donated more than $1,000 toward the purchase of the bulbs and Rotary International contributed matching funds, said Politowicz.

"To me it's a way of giving back; we are always looking for new ways to help the community," said Rich Politowicz.

Politowicz said Rotary members are willing to help install the bulbs in concert with the fire department so that they are put in the most appropriate place to be seen as easily as possible by emergency personnel.

The PAP database can generate a list of special needs for individuals at work, home or both, said Mastandrea.

Many more people could benefit from the program, and Mastandrea hopes that they will. 

"In the communities we serve, we believe there are likely 200 to 300 special needs individuals, and at this point we have less than 50 who are registered with the PAP program," said Mastandrea.

Areas covered by the Lake Zurich Fire Rescue Department include Hawthorn Woods, North Barrington, Kildeer, Deer Park, Lake Zurich, portions of Lake Barrington, Echo Lake and Forest Lake, said Mastandrea.

The program does more than just include vital health information in the database.  Mastandrea said it also helps first responders to be aware of individuals needing additional assistance in case of a natural disaster or evacuation situation.

The beacon bulbs are free of charge for those who have registered and qualify for the PAP program.

"Whether it's a fire or medical emergency, time is of the essence; if we know a victim's medical needs, we can be more prepared and better informed on how to treat these individuals," said Mastandrea.

Individuals who are qualified to fill out the registration include those with special needs, parents or guardians of minor children, foster parents and anyone who has legal guardianship or power of attorney over another person.

"We're going to find you quicker, and know more about how to help you," said Mastandrea. Every second counts," said Mastandrea.  

"Registering will allow first responders such as police, fire and ambulance personnel to be aware of the health issues needing special attention and gain additional knowledge about those conditions prior to arriving on the scene," said Mastandrea. 

"Projects like this are what the rotary is all about, it may seem like a small thing, but it can make a difference between life and death," said Dale Perrin, Rotary Club president.

Registration forms can be picked up at fire department headquarters at 321 S. Buesching Road, the police department located at 200 Mohawk Trail, or downloaded on the Village of Lake Zurich website at www.volz.org.

Mastandrea said registration forms can also be mailed to residents by calling the main fire house and requesting one at 847-540-5070.