Fire District 13 checks on most vulnerable

After tragedies involving elderly residents, Fire District 13 has launched a program aimed at giving families peace of mind.

Fire Chief Roy Horn said morning check-in calls to residents could prevent tragedy. A recent example is when an elderly resident had fallen and was down for 36 hours before being discovered, he said.

“Good morning District 13!” is Fire District 13’s new program for people who would like to be checked in on more often than family or friends are able to call on them. In the mornings between 9 a.m. and noon, a fire department representative will call everyone registered for the program daily or just on days when the check-in is needed.

If there is no answer, Horn said, the fire department will call again a few minutes later — if a second call goes unanswered, firefighters and emergency medical technicians will be dispatched to the home to check on the person.

This program was spurred from medical calls involving people who had been down for too long and were not able to reach the phone.

“We’ve had two tragedies, where we came in and the patient has been down on the ground for 24 hours-plus,” Horn said. A few weeks ago, we had an individual who was down for 36 hours.”

Good morning District 13! is open to elderly and disabled people within Fire District 13.

There are two programs — one full time for those who live alone, with no one to look in on them on a daily basis, and the other part time, for those who want a daily check only between specific dates.

“It’s our way of providing to our residents, and their families, the peace of mind that comes from knowing that someone is looking out for them 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” according to a press release sent out by the district.

To sign up for this program, call Fire District 13 between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at 360-466-1224.