Fire Department

Evacuation Assistance for Persons with Physical Disabilities - I PROGRAM

 


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The Arlington County Fire Department's "I" Program provides information to responding fire units about the location of persons with disabilities and persons who can not evacuate on their own during a fire emergency.  This program is for residential properties only.

Who is eligible for the program?

  • Persons who are permanently unable to self-evacuate from their place of residence

How it works

  • Contact the Fire Prevention Office at 703-228-4644 to request enrollment.
  • Staff will schedule an appointment for a site visit and to complete enrollment forms.
  • Participants are added to a computerized database of addresses where people are identified to need evacuation assistance.
  • Participants may choose to receive a decal (sticker) to place on the window of the room where they spend the most time.
  • Sticker placement is not a requirement, but it helps responders quickly locate the person in need of assistance.
  • When an incident is dispatched to a flagged address, firefighters will be notified of the person's location within the building.

How to use the “I” Program in case of a fire

  • Call 911 to report the emergency
  • Be sure to inform the call taker of your particular circumstances, such as: "I am confined to bed, to the right as you enter my residence."
  • If you live in a high-rise building, and the fire incident is close to where you are located, firefighters will come to assist you in evacuation.
  • If you are in a high-rise and the fire incident is not in close proximity to your unit, firefighters will usually only contact you if you are deemed to be in danger or if the situation deteriorates.

Keeping the "I" Program Up-to-Date

If there is a change in your situation, or if you no longer require or desire participation in the program, please notify the Fire Prevention Office at 703.228.4644.


Last Modified: October 25, 2010
2100 Clarendon Blvd. Arlington, VA 22201 Tel: 703-228-3000 TTY: 703-228-4611