Premise Alert Program

ILLINOIS PREMISE ALERT PROGRAM

The Illinois Premise Alert Program (Public Act 96-0788) allows people with special needs to provide information to police, fire, and EMS first responders to be stored in a database for use in an emergency situation. This information can then provide valuable guidance and direction to the first responders which will assist in meeting the needs of these individuals.

The provided information will be kept confidential and will be used only to provide first responders with the information needed to effectively deal with situations or emergencies involving a special needs person. The information will expire two (2) years after the date submitted and will no longer be maintained in the database thereafter unless such information is renewed by the submitting party.

Participation in the program will not result in any type of preferential treatment to special needs or disabled individuals. Furthermore, the Act provides that the City of Waukegan, its Police Department, and/or any other responding agency will not be held liable for duties relating to the reporting of special needs or disabled individuals.

Any special needs person(s) who maintain a TTY/TDY device will automatically be contacted in the event of any telephone notification regarding general informative information or localized emergency normally transmitted via the City of Waukegan's Connect-CTY program. This contact will be initiated regardless of enrollment in the Premise Alert Program.

The Illinois Premise Alert Program defines;

"Special Needs Individuals" as; "those individuals who have. or are at increased risk for. a chronic physical. developmental. behavioral. or emotional condition and who also requires health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required by individuals generally." Examples include, deafness, blindness, autism, mobility issues, inability to communicate, special medical needs, or any condition that may affect the needs of the individual with regard to interaction with first responders.

"Disability" as; "means an individual's physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities; a history of such impairment; or when the individual is regarded as having such an impairment."

To participate in the program an individual, parent, guardian, family member, or caregiver must complete a Waukegan Police Department Premise Alert Program Enrollment Form