Emergency Registry Teams With Drug Turn-In

On Saturday, Apr. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Coventry Emergency Management Agency is hosting a "Coventry On Alert" registration at the Town Hall Annex located at 1675 Flat River Rd. During this time the will also be conducting an annual where members of the public are invited to turn in old prescription drugs for proper disposal.

The Coventry On Alert program in conjunction with the Rhode Island Special Needs Emergency Registry serve as a vehicle to obtain critical information about all vulnerable residents in the community who may be unable to provide necessary information in the event of an emergency.

General information such as name, address, physical description, contact information and primary language will be collected, as well as specifics about the individual's health and mental or physical abilities. In an emergency or crisis situation, emergency officials can perform their duties and assist more residents if they are aware of impairments, special circumstances and medical equipment related to an individual.

The information along with a picture will be entered into a data bank that can be accessed by local and state emergency responders in the event of an emergency such as; impending weather events, missing child or adult or persons involved in accidents that are unable to provide information to obtain help. It can also be used to locate a responsible individual who is aware of the individual’s needs in the event that their caregiver is incapacitated.

"This is a pretty simple process that is very useful to us," said Police Chief Bryan Volpe. "Any advance information that we can get is great. Anything that helps the situation go smoother."

A comments section has also been added to the Coventry On Alert program that addresses ways to communicate with the individual which may be used to alleviate anxiety and obtain possible life-saving medical information for responders. This information will provide the Coventry EMA with the means to identify individuals who may need immediate and continuous monitoring during a weather event. Concerns such as power outage; transportation for dialysis patients, water availability and access to alternate equipment or generators will be addressed by identifying needs of these residents.

"It is our intention that these programs will allow us a greater awareness and sensitivity to the needs of all our residents," said Chief Volpe in a release. "This added awareness will ensure that we are prepared to access resources to maintain their lives in an emergency situation or event."

Any residents with questions about the program should contact the at 826-1100.