Pinellas Sheriff’s Office introduces new sticker to alert first responders of person with special needs
new sticker has strong meaning for first responders in Pinellas County.
The sticker is part of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office’s Respond With Care program that Sheriff Bob Gualtieri just launched. It’s aimed at alerting and preparing first responders that someone with special needs may be in a home or a car that they’re approaching.
An individual or someone in their family can request a sticker by calling PCSO's Crime Prevention and Community Awareness Unit at (727) 582-2222. Sergeant Amanda Sinni said deputies will then ask them a series of questions.
Sinni said."We want to make sure they go to the right people who truly need them so there is that process in place,"
She said its vital information for first responders – law enforcement, EMS or fire crews – to have just in case an individual isn't able to hear, communicate or easily move around.
"If they’re inside their house or have any kind of cognitive disability, our deputies will be made aware of that before they make contact and again," Sinni said. "It’s mainly for safety reasons for both the deputies and the individual."
She recommends putting the sticker in a prominent place on your car or your home like near the front door of your home, and the left corner on the driver’s side of a car.