In This Issue: - Knox Box

Traer Ambulance ServiceT R A E R , I AIn 2005, Traer AmbulanceService in Traer, Iowawas looking for a wayto improve access andcare to residents within their jurisdiction.“People would leave their key with usor tell us the key was at such and suchlocation such as the ceramic frog by thefront door,” stated Martin Herker. All keysgiven to the department were kept at thestation. When responding to a residence,the crew had to remember to take theresident’s key with them. “If we forgot totake the key with us, it was of no goodto us,” Herker said. Hiding an entrancekey on site holds many drawbacks. Whileresponders can find the key, so cananyone else looking to find a way inside.Additionally, “during the winter thatceramic frog would be covered with 1-2feet of snow and ice. We’d have to digjust to find the frog,” Herker explained.“We began asking ourselves whatcould we do to improve access and care?We talked with several neighboringdepartments to get some ideas and settledon the Knox System,” Herker shared. TraerAmbulance felt the biggest selling pointfor deciding to go with the Knox Systemwas the security of the system. Sincethe boxes are going on residences, manyhomeowners were concerned about othersMartin Herker of Traer Ambulance Service drillingto mount a residential Knox-Box on a home.being able to get inside the Knox-Box togain access to their homes. “We showed asample box at community events. The boxcan’t be pried open. A key is needed.” Whenthe department received their KeySecureunit, they took it to a few communityevents and challenged residents to getthe key out of the unit. “They were unableto remove the key without a PIN code,”Herker said.Originally, Traer began their KnoxProgram to help provide care for thoseresidents using the Lifeline® service.Next, they expanded the programto several senior housing apartmentcomplexes. More recently, they have addeda box to the entrance of a fitness centerthat provides after hours access to somemembers via a swipe card. These membersgenerally are in the center by themselves.If they fall off the treadmill or twist theirankle working out, they can call TraerAmbulance to provide medical assistance.They carry an emergency call button thatcontacts Traer Ambulance directly. TraerAmbulance is able to enter the facility byusing the Knox-Box.Traer Ambulance provides the KnoxProgram to their community as a freeservice. They received funding for the first20 boxes and two KeySecure units via agrant from a community foundation. Thegrant provided funds to pay for 50% of theinitial purchase. The department providedthe remaining funds. As funds have becomeavailable, they have purchased additionalboxes. Today there are approximately 40residential boxes installed within theircommunity. All boxes are owned bythe department and are lent out to theresidents. Residents do not purchase theirown boxes.The department installs all boxesand when a box is no longer needed ata residence, Traer Ambulance removesthe box. Installing and removing a boxprovides a great opportunity for theresponders to meet with those in thecommunity in a non-emergency setting. Itis very common for a neighbor to inquireabout an ambulance in front of a home.This allows the department to explain theKnox Program and answer any questionsresidents may have.Located in east central Iowa, TraerAmbulance is a combination career/volunteer EMS provider covering 140square miles in northern Tama County.They maintain two ambulances with athree person crew on call at all times.3