WESTFIELD—The Council on Aging (COA) and the city’s fire department are once again teaming up, this time to provide residential lock boxes for applicable residents.
Lock boxes are being provided to 38 residences in Westfield through a grant from the state-funded Senior SAFE Program, and will be installed with assistance from the Westfield Fire Department. The lock boxes are being provided to those chosen based on the residents’ potential risk for needing emergency medical services and being admitted into medical facilities. The lock boxes have not been received yet, but according to Tina Gorman, director for the COA, the hope is that they will be in within the next several weeks.
TINA GORMAN
“We are targeting clients in the Council on Aging Companion Program most at risk for institutionalization and to call first responders,” Gorman said.
The Companion Program is a city-run program that provides volunteer services to “Frail, homebound adults aged 60 and older who are considered at risk of institutionalization are provided a variety of services…so that they may age in place in their own homes,” according to the program’s website.
The lock boxes will allow seniors to get potentially crucial emergency medical care in the event that they or someone else is unable to unlock a door to a residence for first responders, or if emergency personnel cannot access the home. This works by having the lock box located outside a residence that the Westfield Fire Department has a key and access to.
“All the apparatus carry a special key for the lockboxes, a key just for Westfield,” Bishop said.
The key is given by the company that manufactures the lock boxes and they cannot be duplicated, according to Westfield Fire Deputy Chief Eric Bishop said. This allows first responders who need access to the resident in need with an easier way of entry that is also quicker.
Westfield Fire Deputy Chief Eric Bishop
“It allows us to reduce any delay,” Bishop said. “When you’re having a medical emergency, seconds count.”
Gorman said that the lock boxes are being purchased with an approximate $2,300 grant, which is expected to be able to afford about 24 lock boxes. The remaining lock boxes are going to be attempted to be purchased through another grant next year.
The delay in the purchases is due to issues with the company who produces the product being unable to accept a purchase order, according to Gorman. She is working with the city’s purchasing department to solve the issue, though.
If residents would like lock boxes but are not being given the ones from the COA and the Westfield Fire Department, then they can contact the fire department and request information on how to procure one for their residence.
