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News Brief

Aug. 13, 2019Maryville, MO |  By: John Coffey

BID program to help paramedics identify children with special needs

A new program designed to help paramedics assist children in accident situations is being organized in Nodaway County.

The Belt ID Program lets parents receive a personalized identification sleeve they place on the seatbelt of children that may have special needs or communication barriers. The sleeves would also alert paramedics to medical equipment in the vehicle that needs to be transported with the patient to the emergency room.

Paramedic with the Nodaway County Ambulance District, Jill Nielson, is organizing the program and feels the program helps everyone involved in an accident.

"It's a great way for us to quickly identify that something else may be going on with the kid if we get there and they've been in an accident and they need our help."

Nielson says she's pleased with the early response to the program.

"Everyone that has been put into contact with me by a friend, family, or they've seen it on Facebook, has been very excited about it; really appreciative of it.  They really like the part that it's free.  Having a kiddo especially with extra medical expenses, to it's very well-received.  I've had a lot of interest in people wanting to do one for adult patients that have medical issues.  That's something I'm kind of looking at getting started after we get the child program up and running."

Nielson says anyone interested in the Belt ID program can contact the Nodaway County Ambulance District or visit their Facebook page at BID program.