MARSHALL COUNTY, W.Va. — Marshall County officials are launching a new registry designed to help first responders quickly identify and locate vulnerable residents who may become lost or unable to communicate.
The Marshall County Special Needs Registry, set to take effect July 1, will serve individuals with conditions such as nonverbal autism, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other disorders that may make it difficult for them to provide identifying information during an emergency.
The registry will allow parents, guardians, and caregivers to provide important details about their loved ones, including nicknames, medical conditions, triggers, and calming techniques that could assist law enforcement and emergency personnel during a search or encounter.
Officials say the program will complement Marshall County’s existing Project Lifesaver initiative, which provides electronic tracking bracelets at no cost to qualifying participants to help locate them if they wander away.
The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office and Marshall County Schools partnered to develop the program, which officials believe will improve safety and help reunite families more quickly when vulnerable individuals go missing.
Residents interested in participating can contact the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office for additional information about the registry and Project Lifesaver program.
