Written by Maloney Staff Tuesday, 15 September 2009 08:04
Chicago, IL- Illinois has a new law that protects the health and safety of special needs and disabled citizens. The Illinois Premise Alert Program (PAP) allows individuals with disabilities or special needs to register with 9-1-1 emergency responders.
"Everyone’s heard the old saying that ‘knowledge is power,’" said State Sen. Ed Maloney (D-Chicago), the legislation’s sponsor. "In this case, knowledge will save lives."
PAP is a voluntary program that allows individuals with disabilities or special needs, their families or their caregivers to register with local law enforcement agencies, fire departments and fire protection districts. They will supply these emergency service agencies with potentially life-saving information about their conditions. The participants’ information will be kept strictly confidential—it will only be shared with front-line emergency-response personnel like police officers and firefighters.
"In an emergency situation, people with disabilities or special needs sometimes require specialized help," Maloney said. "When paramedics, firefighters and police officers know that they are coming to the aid of a special needs individual, they will be better prepared." Similar programs already operate in other states and local communities throughout the country. They have a proven track-record of improving emergency response outcomes. Armed with up-to-date information about complex medical disabilities, firefighters and paramedics have saved people’s lives. Forewarned about behavioral issues stemming from autism and other mental disorders, police can better manage emergency situations and protect the safety of the special needs individual. The PAP database can only be used with enhanced 9-1-1 systems, so this service may not be available in all areas of the state. It is also highly dependent on up-to-date information that can only be provided by the individuals who register. This legislation, Senate Bill 2057, passed the General Assembly with unanimous, bipartisan support.
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Senator Maloney Menu
18th District
Years served: 1992-1993 (House); 2003 - Present (Senate)
Committee assignments: Committee of the Whole; Higher Education (Chairperson); Labor; Appropriations II; Consumer Protection; Redistricting; Deficit Reduction.
Biography: Senator Ed Maloney is a full-time legislator. His professional experience includes being an assistant principal and dean of faculty at Brother Rice High School in Chicago, manager and professional development director for the Chicago Park District, and a teacher, counselor and administrator at Oak Lawn Community High School. He has a bachelor's degree in political science from Lewis University and a master's degree in education from Chicago State University. Senator Maloney is married to Norine, and they have four sons and ten grandchildren.