Ambulances in Greene County now equipped with sensory kits

CAIRO―Medical emergencies can be stressful for anyone, but for those with autism or sensory sensitivities they are often overwhelming.

So, to help reduce anxiety and improve outcomes for both patients and providers, every ambulance in Greene County will now be equipped with special preparedness bags.

“Each kit contains simple but effective tools that can make a tremendous difference during an emergency,” said Greene County EMS Coordinator Sean Hotaling.

“They include sunglasses to reduce bright lights, hearing protection headphones to minimize overwhelming noises, fidget items for anxiety, a dry erase board with markers and an eraser for communication, and laminated communication cards that can help the patients express their needs when speaking is difficult,” he explained.

Just one kit can cost hundreds of dollars, but Greene County Emergency Services Business Manager Danielle Hotaling was able to put them together for a fraction of the price.

“It was 800 and change for 50 of them,” she said. “So, about $16 each.”

It allowed the department to supply two kits for each ambulance: one for everyday use and another for backup.

Danielle and Sean Hotaling, who are husband and wife, know firsthand how sensory overload can stress someone with autism. Their son is on the spectrum.

Throughout his career in EMS, Sean said he has also cared for patients with autism, developmental disabilities, dementia, and other conditions where sights, sounds, and the stress of an ambulance can quickly become overpowering.

“I’ve seen firsthand how a few simple accommodations can calm a situation, build trust, and help providers deliver better care overall,” he said.

The new kits go hand in hand with the ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative that Marc Molinaro spoke about during a recent meeting of the Greene County Legislature’s Public Safety Committee.

Molinaro, whose daughter is on the autism spectrum, founded ThinkDIFFERENTLY in 2015 while serving as the Dutchess County executive. It is a call to action for municipalities, businesses and communities to take steps to foster inclusion and break down barriers for those with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities.

The initiative has become a national model that has since been adopted by local governments across New York and beyond, including Greene County.

“It is to be more inclusive and to recognize that every member of our community deserves to be treated with dignity and understanding,” said Sean. “I believe this project does exactly that.”

“While these kits may not work for every patient, if they work for one that is enough,” said Danielle.

Jason Fredenberg, Psy.D., Greene County’s director of Community Services & Mental Health Department, said small interventions like this can make a big difference.

“I love that Greene County, on a number of different fronts, is finding more and more ways to intervene with people―whether it is through EMS or the sheriff’s office―to meet their needs and deescalate situations to get people the help they need,” noted Fredenberg,

“This is a great way to think outside of the box,” he said.