The local emergency departments are looking to start a rapid entry system that will allow personnel of the Washington Island Fire Department, Washington Island Police Department and Door County Emergency Medical Services quick access to buildings or homes without damaging the door or building in cases of emergencies.
This would also eliminate the need for the WIFD, WIPD and DCEMS to carry key rings with hundreds of building keys.
If you are worried about the ability of medical personnel to enter your home in cases of emergency, this system allows for the security of locks. If you fall and cannot get to a door, this may be perfect fit for you.
Here is how the rapid entry system works: the building owner purchases the lockbox that will mount securely to the building near an entrance. After the box arrives, an official from the WIPD, WIFD or DCEMS will come out to the house or building and install the box at no cost to the homeowner or the building owner.
The officials who install the box will offer a quick walk though the home or building, looking for potential hazards and checking smoke alarms.
Then, for example, when a business fire alarm sounds at night or on a weekend, the WIFD will have instant access to the building. Access is fast, easy and safe without the need for the building owner or tenant to drive to the site after hours. This may even have some cost savings on your homeowners insurance, renters insurance or business insurance.
Supra is a name trusted around the country by local police, fire departments and town officials. The keys that open the lockboxes are provided exclusively by Supra and cannot be duplicated. There are very limited keys that will be available to the town emergency departments, which will safeguard with security measures needed. These keys will be assigned by the WIPD.
Cost of the program is a onetime fee of $100, which includes the shipping of the box, the box itself, free install by the departments, and a safety walk through.
If you have an interest in the program and think you might want to enroll, please call the WIPD at (920) 847-2355 or contact any local firefighter or emergency medical personnel.
By WIPD Chief Tyler McGrane
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