City of Brantford Council unanimously supported the idea of developing and implementing a voluntary address alert program for vulnerable people and those with disabilities during a Committee of the Whole Operations meeting on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
Brought forward by Ward 4 Councillor Linda Hunt, the proposed program would assist police officers, paramedics and firefighters in delivering effective and appropriate emergency services by providing important information about vulnerable residents before arriving at the scene.
Those considered as vulnerable persons may include, but are not limited to, individuals living with developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, acquired brain injuries, cognitive impairments, mental health conditions, communication challenges, mobility limitations, or complex medical conditions.
Hunt, who lives with multiple sclerosis and uses a power wheelchair for mobility, provided an example of how the program could support individuals with accessibility needs.
“If there was a fire in my house and I’m in bed and my husband cannot get me out, I want the firefighters to know that I’m not able to evacuate my house on my own,” she said. “If they [firefighters] had that information when they’re responding to the call, the first place they’re going to come to is the back bedroom window because they know there is a person with a disability that’s unable to get out of bed and safely evacuate.”
A former firefighter for 35 years, Councillor Greg Martin said he was fully supportive of the idea.
“This kind of information is like gold,” he said. “As a former first responder, you don’t know what you’re going into most of the time, and on the rare chance we get this kind of information ahead of time, it is so beneficial.”
If approved during the upcoming Tuesday, July 27, Council meeting, City staff will be directed to consult with Brantford Police Services, the fire department, paramedic services, the Brantford accessibility advisory committee, disability advocacy organizations, privacy experts, people with disabilities, and other stakeholders regarding the design and implementation of the program.
Staff will then report back to Council in the first quarter of 2027 with recommendations regarding the eligibility and registration process, and privacy, security and consent requirements. The report will also cover how the program would be integrated with emergency dispatch and response systems, estimated costs and resource requirements, and public education.
Before being unanimously supported by Council, Councillor Mandy Samwell thanked Hunt for bringing the resolution forward.
“This is about people. Emergencies are stressful enough without worrying about important information that may not be known,” she said. “For the residents that choose to participate, and for their families, simply knowing that emergency responders will have a better understanding of their needs can provide tremendous peace of mind.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
