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New program to make emergency family notification quicker
By Denise Schoppe
Staffwriter
The Marlin Democrat
February 02, 2005
In an emergency, time is critical. When anything happens, not only is it important for the victims to be taken care of immediately, it is necessary that someone be notified of the situation.
"Often when something happens, everyone ends up standing around stratching their heads wondering, ' Who is this person?' and 'Who do we contact?'," Ron Douglas, Falls County Emergency Management, said. "That is where the National Next of Kin Registry is a big help."
The National Next of Kin Registry (NOKR) is a nonprofit organization created to assist in the notification process when an individual is missing, critically injured or deceased. It is a quick solution to locating anyone's Next Of Kin in urgent situations.
"It is a free service and anyone can sign up," Douglas said. "All information that is provided in registration is protected and secure. The only people with access to the information is law enforcement and emergency management agencies."
The way the system works, is anyone can visit the NOKR site (www.pleasenotifyme.org) and fill out the registration page or fill out a form to mail-in or fax to register either themselves and a point of contact for next of kin, or they can register a family member and a point of contact.
Who is set to be notified is up to the individual. If can be family, friend or signifacation other as a point of contact. Each registration is date stamped, and it is possible to register multiple times. If someone registers several times, each registration is stored and indexed individually by date. The information is kept secure and is sent encrypted to a secure area on a separate server once registration is complete.
"Falls County Emergency management co-ordinators would like to see everyone pariticpate," Douglas said. "It is a very time consuming process to located family members in an emergency. Often the information is not available at all. This service will make that process faster and simpler."
When registering, NOKR only asks for the individual's name, address, city and state. Optionally, they can add their telephone number, date of birth/age or upload an optional photo. For the Next Of Kin, they only collect name, address, city and state. Optionally it is possible to also provide a telephone number and email address. The optional items are just that, optional.
"All information is protected," Douglas said. "The information is never released to the public, only law enforcement."
There are no limitations to the service. It is dedicated to helping individuals with the notification process internationally. This service can be used to register anyone, including a child, teenager, older individuals living alone, and homeless. In the event of a natural, man-made disaster or even a terrorist act, this registry has a true value to help locate an individual's Next Of Kin or emergency point of contact.
"It helps EMS and police departments locate family members," Douglas said. "Its all about doing it as soon as possible."
To register with NOKR, visit their website at www.pleasenotifyme.org, or pick up an application to mail or fax at city hall or at the Marlin Democrat office.
By Denise Schoppe
Staffwriter
The Marlin Democrat
February 02, 2005
In an emergency, time is critical. When anything happens, not only is it important for the victims to be taken care of immediately, it is necessary that someone be notified of the situation.
"Often when something happens, everyone ends up standing around stratching their heads wondering, ' Who is this person?' and 'Who do we contact?'," Ron Douglas, Falls County Emergency Management, said. "That is where the National Next of Kin Registry is a big help."
The National Next of Kin Registry (NOKR) is a nonprofit organization created to assist in the notification process when an individual is missing, critically injured or deceased. It is a quick solution to locating anyone's Next Of Kin in urgent situations.
"It is a free service and anyone can sign up," Douglas said. "All information that is provided in registration is protected and secure. The only people with access to the information is law enforcement and emergency management agencies."
The way the system works, is anyone can visit the NOKR site (www.pleasenotifyme.org) and fill out the registration page or fill out a form to mail-in or fax to register either themselves and a point of contact for next of kin, or they can register a family member and a point of contact.
Who is set to be notified is up to the individual. If can be family, friend or signifacation other as a point of contact. Each registration is date stamped, and it is possible to register multiple times. If someone registers several times, each registration is stored and indexed individually by date. The information is kept secure and is sent encrypted to a secure area on a separate server once registration is complete.
"Falls County Emergency management co-ordinators would like to see everyone pariticpate," Douglas said. "It is a very time consuming process to located family members in an emergency. Often the information is not available at all. This service will make that process faster and simpler."
When registering, NOKR only asks for the individual's name, address, city and state. Optionally, they can add their telephone number, date of birth/age or upload an optional photo. For the Next Of Kin, they only collect name, address, city and state. Optionally it is possible to also provide a telephone number and email address. The optional items are just that, optional.
"All information is protected," Douglas said. "The information is never released to the public, only law enforcement."
There are no limitations to the service. It is dedicated to helping individuals with the notification process internationally. This service can be used to register anyone, including a child, teenager, older individuals living alone, and homeless. In the event of a natural, man-made disaster or even a terrorist act, this registry has a true value to help locate an individual's Next Of Kin or emergency point of contact.
"It helps EMS and police departments locate family members," Douglas said. "Its all about doing it as soon as possible."
To register with NOKR, visit their website at www.pleasenotifyme.org, or pick up an application to mail or fax at city hall or at the Marlin Democrat office.
