September is National Preparedness Month and Dutchess County is helping residents to ThinkDIFFERENTLY about being ready for an emergency when people have autism or other neurodevelopmental challenges.  Dutchess County’s ThinkDIFFERENTLY team has organized two events this month to help prepare both first responders and families – First Responder Autism Training on September 18^th and a Sensory Sensitive Open House at East Fishkill Department, open to all County residents, on September 28^th.  Registration is required for both events.

On Saturday, September 28th, residents with disabilities and their families are invited to a sensory-sensitive First Responder Meet & Greet from 10 a.m. to noon at the East Fishkill Fire Department, located at 2502 Route 52 in Hopewell Junction.  This is a great opportunity for families to meet first responders in a sensory-sensitive environment, with no flashing lights or sirens, to get familiar with the equipment, gear and vehicles that first responders utilize in an emergency.   Capacity is limited, and registration is required; families can register at https://bit.ly/47B080x by September 27.

Residents with disabilities and their families are also reminded to sign up for the Dutchess County Access & Functional Needs Registry – a voluntary, confidential list of residents who may need extra assistance, transportation or a place to stay if a major emergency or disaster requires evacuation. Registering before an emergency allows response agencies to plan more effectively. Residents who are eligible can sign up at dutchessny.gov/afnregistry to help first responders understand any special assistance they may need during an emergency or evacuation.

For more information on how to prepare for emergencies, visit Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response’s webpages for general and seasonal preparedness.

To learn more about County’s successful ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative, visit thinkdifferently.net.