First responders in Illinois can better prepare for emergencies thanks to a new law requiring 911 centers to accept information about residents with disabilities preemptively.

Families can now elect to provide information about individuals with disabilities in their household to their local 911 center. Then, if a call is made coming from the individual’s address, the 911 dispatcher will immediately have access to the specialized information.

The dispatcher will then notify police, firefighters or paramedics headed to the scene about the person’s special needs, reports WSIL, the Carbondale, Ill. ABC affiliate. To read more click here.

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