Guam § 72109 - Emergency On-Line Registry for Individuals with

§ 72109. Emergency On-Line Registry for Individuals with

Special Needs.

(a) Definitions.

(1) Confidential information means any and all non-

public, medical, financial and personal information in

whatever form (written, oral, visual or electronic) possessed

or obtained by either party. Confidential information shall

include all information which:

(A) either party has labeled in writing as

confidential;

(B) is identified at the time of disclosure as

confidential;

(C) is commonly regarded as confidential in the

health care industry; or

(D) is Protected Health Information as defined by

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the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act.

(2) First responders means an employee of an

emergency service who is likely to be among the first people

to arrive at and assist at the scene of an emergency, such as

an accident, natural disaster, or terrorist attack. First

responders typically include police, firefighters, paramedics,

and emergency medical technicians.

(3) Special needs means the phrase used in clinical

diagnosis and functional development to describe individuals

who require assistance for disabilities that may be medical,

mental or psychological; and the needs of such individuals.

(b) The Guam Fire Department shall create and maintain a

registry entitled, the “Emergency On-Line Registry for

Individuals with Special Needs,” herein referred to as “Registry,”

which shall be integrated into the Enhanced 911 Emergency

Reporting System. Such Registry shall be referred to by and any

relevant information is to be conveyed to the first emergency

responders.

(1) The Registry shall only contain information

voluntarily disclosed by a registered individual with special

needs, or his or her parent or legal guardian. Such

information may include, but not be limited to, emergency

contact information, relevant medical history, and a

description of any special need deemed relevant by the

registrant. All information within the registry shall be

deemed confidential information that shall only be used for

the purposes of the Registry. Any other disclosure may occur

only upon the written authorization of the registrant.

(2) The Registry shall be voluntary and the individual

with special needs, or the parents or legal guardian of the

individual with special needs under the age of eighteen (18)

may register with the Guam Fire Department. An option to

attach a passport-style photo may be permitted. The Registry

application form may be available at the Guam Fire

Department.

(3) Once the registration has been received and

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processed, the Guam Fire Department or its designated agent

shall officially respond by mail or email to the applicant

confirming their inclusion on the Registry no less than seven

(7) days from the date of the submission of the registration.

An identification card shall be issued which may accompany

the individual with special needs at all times, as deemed

appropriate.

(c) Authorization. The Guam Fire Department is hereby

authorized to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the

Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with

Disabilities and other departments and agencies, as determined by

the Guam Fire Department to seek consultation and advice in the

creation and maintenance of the Registry.

(d) The Guam Fire Department and the Department of

Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities and other

departments and agencies as determined by the Guam Fire

Department shall meet at least quarterly to report the activities of

the registry and shall submit an annual report, beginning on

January 1, 2017, to I Maga’lahen Guåhan and I Liheslaturan

Guåhan, which shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) the number of individuals voluntarily registered;

(2) a comparative analysis on the number of

individuals on the Registry that benefited from the Registry,

their special needs, and the delivery of services received;

(2) incident reports filed by first responders when

responding to an emergency with an individual on the

Registry;

(3) a list of complaints, if any, from the individual on

the registry; and

(4) any other strategy effectiveness related to the

Registry.

(e) Evaluation. The Guam Fire Department shall conduct a

yearly evaluation of the Registry, which shall include, but not be

limited to:

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(1) tracking the implementation process, to include

any planned and/or unanticipated adaptations to the Registry

that may affect the outcome of the findings;

(2) a comparative analysis on the number of

individuals on the Registry that benefited from the Registry,

their disability and the delivery of services received;

(3) assessment of the need for any adaptations to the

strategy to meet the needs of the target population;

(4) input from first responders on their use of the

Registry and its effectiveness; and

(5) recommendations, if any, to improve the

effectiveness of the Registry.

The Guam Fire Department may assign these duties to the

Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with

Disabilities as part of the Memorandum of Understanding as

authorized in this Section.

(f) Training. The Guam Fire Department shall develop a

training regimen for emergency responders specifically dedicated

for individuals with special needs. The curriculum may be

developed in collaboration with the Guam Community College

and/or the University of Guam to supplement any existing

programs or in-service training. The training shall be formulated

to include new employees, as well as veteran employees who are

defined as first responders in this Act and shall be conducted on a

yearly basis. The training shall also include practical experience

with individuals with special needs.