NEWS RELEASE SAULT STE. MARIE INNOVATION CENTRE *************************** Vulnerable Persons Registry: First in North America An eight-year initiative culminates for the Community Geomatics Centre The Sault Ste.

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT STE. MARIE INNOVATION CENTRE

*************************** Vulnerable Persons Registry: First in North America

An eight-year initiative culminates for the Community Geomatics Centre

The Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre’s Community Geomatics Centre (CGC) has announced that the Vulnerable Persons Registry (VPR) is open to Sault Ste. Marie and area residents with registration available online, by mail or through registration locations.

The CGC has produced a groundbreaking comprehensive model in partnership with over 25 local agencies to assist authorized personnel in emergency situations.

This eight-year initiative is the first of its kind in North America and has been designed to be transferable with the hopes of becoming a model that communities across Canada could adopt.

The VPR provides an additional safeguard that is free, voluntary and confidential for persons at greater risk during emergencies.

This communication tool provides local first responders and PUC with the key information they need to help increase safety in situations of power outages, home emergencies, and large-scale emergencies.

“After eight years, we are proud of what the VPR has become and what it has the potential to do for the community, and hopefully elsewhere in North America,” says Kimberley LeClair, VPR coordinator.

The VPR pilot accepts registrations from Sault Ste. Marie residents who live at home without 24-hour support and experience difficulty with mobility, vision, hearing, and developmental, cognitive and mental health.

Those living in the townships of Prince or Dennis and Rankin Reserve, who rely on electricity for life-sustaining equipment such as life support, oxygen and dialysis, are also eligible to register.

There are two registration locations open to the public which include the Accessibility Centre located at the John Rhodes and Canadian Red Cross.

The public can also register from home by visiting www.soovpr.com or submitting a form by mail.

Clients of partnering support agencies such as Alzheimer Society and CNIB can also register directly with their agency.

If you would like a registration kit mailed directly to your home, please contact the VPR coordinator.

The VPR initiativeis in memory of Lewis Wheelan who passed away during the widespread black out in August of 2003.

“We cannot stress enough the importance for the VPR and believe it will make a difference in our community. We are certain he would be truly humbled that lessons learned from his life have inspired such an initiative,” says the Wheelan family.

For more information on the Vulnerable Persons Registry, contact Kimberley LeClair, VPR coordinator, at 705-942-6938 x3041 or info@soovpr.com.

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