POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – As part of National Preparedness Month this September, Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino encourages the community to take a more inclusive approach to emergency readiness, especially for individuals with autism and other neurological and developmental conditions. The County’s ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative is hosting two events – first responder autism training on Sept. 15 and first responder meet-and-greet for families on Oct. 4 – that will give emergency personnel and families, respectively, the tools they need to respond effectively in crisis situations.
Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino said, “In an emergency, every second counts. Responders must know how to carefully rescue those in need, particularly residents with developmental disabilities, to ensure their safety. Our Autism Training for First Responders will help firefighters, law enforcement and other responders recognize those disabilities and respond accordingly. Families also should know what to expect in the case of an emergency – the people who will respond and the vehicles they’ll bring. Our First Responder Meet-and-Greet and open house will connect those families to the brave men and women who may someday save their lives and provide warm introductions to these local heroes.”
On Monday, Sept. 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Dutchess County’s ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative will once again offer First Responder Autism Training. Led by nationally recognized experts Capt. Bill Cannata and Lt. Jimmy Donohoe, this four-hour session will provide first responders practical strategies for engaging with individuals on the autism spectrum during emergencies. The training will take place at the Dutchess County Department of Mental Health, 230 North Road in Poughkeepsie. All first responders in Dutchess County are welcome; advance registration is required at dutchessny.gov/autismtraining.
On Saturday, Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. to noon, families are invited to a First Responder Meet-and-Greet with Town of Poughkeepsie first responders at Greenvale Park, 2260 New Hackensack Road in Poughkeepsie. This is a great opportunity for families of those with disabilities to explore emergency vehicles and meet first responders in a calm, welcoming environment to help them become familiar with things they would see in an emergency. Responders from the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department, the Arlington Fire District and local rescue squads will be on hand to meet families in a sensory-friendly environment free of any flashing lights or sirens. Registration is recommended and can be completed online by Oct. 1 at dutchessny.gov/meetngreet.
County Executive Serino also encourages families to enroll in the Dutchess County Access & Functional Needs Registry, a confidential database that helps emergency services plan for residents who may need extra support during evacuations or disasters. Learn more and register at dutchessny.gov/afnregistry.
For broader emergency preparedness information, visit the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response website: www.dutchessny.gov/preparedness. Additional information about Dutchess County’s ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative and its inclusive programs is available at thinkdifferently.net.
