PPB Launches Voluntary Program to Help First Responders Better Serve Community Members with Disabilities and Other Accommodation Needs

The Portland Police Bureau is pleased to announce the launch of the Local Emergency Accommodation Program (LEAP), a new voluntary program that allows people who live or work in Portland to share information in advance that may help first responders during an emergency. LEAP was developed in consultation with disability law experts and an advisory group of community members and advocates.

LEAP is designed for anyone who is concerned that a disability, medical condition, communication difference, service animal, language barrier, or other circumstance could create a barrier to a safe and effective response in an emergency. Participants can describe what they want responding officers to know - such as communication preferences, sensory sensitivities, medical conditions, or how best to approach them or a family member - before that information is ever needed.

Once submitted, information is entered by Bureau staff into the 911 system that first responders use to support all communities in an emergency. Known as Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, information in the system can be available to responding officers and dispatchers when needed.

"Our Bureau members report that they consistently hear from people who wanted a way to give us this information ahead of time," said Chief Bob Day. "LEAP was built with the disability community, not for it. It's a direct response to what our community asked for, and I'm proud of the work PPB Captain Nathan Sheppard and our advisory group put into creating it."

How it works:

• Participation is completely voluntary. No one is added to LEAP without their consent.
• Individuals - or a parent, guardian, or caregiver on their behalf - can register online or by paper form and provide only the information they choose to share.
• Registrants must provide at least one associated Portland address; Portland residency is not required to participate.
• To keep information current, participants are asked to confirm or update their entry annually. Entries that are not confirmed are removed.
• Participants can request that their information be corrected or removed at any time by contacting [email protected]

LEAP is a new and evolving program. The Bureau will use community feedback and participation data gathered to guide the program's future.

Information submitted to LEAP is maintained by the Bureau of Emergency Communications and the Portland Police Bureau and is subject to Oregon Public Records Law, meaning it may in some circumstances be shared with other public agencies or subject to disclosure under applicable law. Full details, privacy information and registration are available on the LEAP webpage.

Questions can be directed to [email protected].

The Portland Police Bureau is committed to collaborative, community-centered policing that strengthens relationships between public safety agencies and the people they serve, including individuals with disabilities and their families.

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