Northwest Fire District is implementing new kits aimed to be inclusive and accommodating for the community.
The Multi Incident Coping (MIC) Kits are a passion project for NWFDs Fire and Life Safety Educator Amy Allen. She has been working on the kits for the last few years, telling me she personally understands the effect the tools in the kits can have.
I have a son on the autism spectrum and so I know for him, just being in different situations, I found that he was really struggling, Allen said.
So she worked to find items that can help with different peoples needs.
The MIC Kits include:
Dry Erase Board and Markers Chalk Blanket Noise Reducing Headphones Pain/Emotion Scale Fidget Toys
Allen said, If theyre running into a family member that is struggling, this kit is designed to just provide different resources for them.
Josie Morgan is a Community Assistance Program Responder with NWFD and explained the need they see for resources like these. Morgan said, We may be on scene with someone who is in a traumatic experience and at that time they may not be able to focus on whats going on and we totally understand that may be the case.
However, now they hope these new resources will help in situations like that.
So if theres something that we can provide a member of our community to maybe help them to relax or to help to calm them, I want to make sure that is available, Allen said.
The Multi Incident Coping Kits are being implemented this month within their Public Education and Community Assistance Programs.