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Westborough outlines senior safety programs: daily-check calls, lock boxes and home inspections
Summary
Chief Purcell described an automated ‘Are you okay?’ daily-call program (which had no sign-ups), a secure lock-box installation process through the senior center (about $60 per box), and home-safety inspections performed by Captain Keith Lermond to check detectors and fall risks.
Host Carolyn McLeod said she had seen a bulletin about an automated check-in program and Purcell described how it worked: residents who live alone could sign up to receive a daily call; they press a key to confirm they are okay and, if the call is unanswered twice, the department sends a fire truck (no lights or sirens) to the house to check on the resident.
Purcell said the program had received recognition from then-Lieutenant Governor Karen Polito but noted it had not taken off: “we had 0 people sign up for it.” He described the lock-box program for homes where residents want secure key access: boxes are installed via the senior center (Purcell said he needed to reorder boxes), cost about $60 for the box, and keys are stored in an apparatus retention system tied to the CAD so dispatchers see a lock-box alert when responding to a call.
Purcell also highlighted a home-safety inspection service performed by Captain Keith Lermond (spelled Lermond in the transcript), who checks smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors, fall risks and visibility of house numbers; Purcell urged residents to request inspections to help prevent falls and fire injuries.
