Families

Family bike

New Hampshire EMSC (NH EMSC) exists to reduce pediatric morbidity and mortality in the emergency healthcare space. As children are often part of a larger family unit, NH EMSC seeks to involve and support the entire family. To ensure that the family voice is honored, NH EMSC engages with the Family Advisory Network (FAN).

Resources

Family and Community Resources

The New Hampshire Family Voices (NHFV), part of the national Family Voices network, connects families of children and youth with special healthcare needs and disabilities to resources, information, services, and support.

NHFV has advised NH EMSC on tools for prehospital providers caring for neurodivergent children, as well as on the development of prehospital care protocols.

New Hampshire 911 CARES Registry

New Hampshire 911 maintains a voluntary Citizens' Assistance Registry for Emergency Services (CARES) database. Individuals with chronic or special healthcare needs can voluntarily provide information that may help 911 telecommunicators and first responders better understand their needs during an emergency.

When a 911 call is received, CARES information can help provide important context and may assist first responders with accessing or communicating with the patient. Not all medical conditions require a CARES entry, as the existing medical protocol system is designed to quickly identify the primary complaint and send the appropriate response.

CARES entries may be particularly helpful for conditions that could affect a person's state of mind, influence the initial actions of first responders, or affect the person's ability to communicate. Eligible conditions include Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, cognitive disabilities, epilepsy, diabetes, hearing impairment, the presence of a pacemaker or LVAD, medication allergies, and more.

For more information or to sign up, visit the New Hampshire Division of Emergency Services and Communications.

Pediatric Disaster Preparedness

The National Pediatric Disaster Coalition (NPDC) provides resources to help families prepare for both everyday emergencies and large-scale disasters. Resources include:

  • Introducing children to the 911 system
  • Creating family communication plans
  • Involving children in emergency preparedness activities
  • Helping children understand emergency concepts through stories and games

Remember, all emergencies begin locally. Taking time to educate children and prepare your family can help reduce stress and build confidence during an otherwise challenging event.

Asthma Resources

New Hampshire has some of the highest rates of asthma in the country. Asthma affects approximately 13.2% of New Hampshire adults and 7.21% of children and accounts for more than 4,000 emergency room visits and more than $177 million in direct medical costs each year.

Children with asthma should have an Asthma Action Plan to help families and caregivers recognize symptoms and manage asthma.

Additional resources are available through the New Hampshire Asthma Collaborative and the CDC's asthma resources.

Child Passenger Safety

New Hampshire law requires children under age 18 to be properly restrained when traveling in a motor vehicle. The following resources can help families select, install, and safely use child restraint systems.

Be Seat Smart NH
Coordinated through the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth (CHaD), Be Seat Smart NH provides accurate and consistent child passenger safety information for families throughout New Hampshire and Vermont.

Safe Kids Worldwide
Safe Kids Worldwide is a global nonprofit dedicated to protecting children from preventable injuries. Its car seat guide provides information about choosing, installing, fitting, and updating a child's car seat.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
NHTSA provides recommendations and guidance on car seats and booster seats, including installation information.

Injury Prevention

Preventing injuries is one of the best ways to help keep children out of the emergency healthcare system. The New Hampshire Public Health Injury Prevention Program works to reduce deaths and disabilities resulting from unintentional and intentional injuries by providing injury prevention education and resources to New Hampshire residents.

The program collaborates with community partners, including the Injury Prevention Center at the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth (CHaD). Resources address topics such as:

Immunization Resources

Preventing illness through recommended vaccinations is another important way to help keep children healthy and reduce preventable emergency healthcare visits.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends vaccination schedules for children and adolescents. Parents and caregivers can find additional information about childhood and adolescent immunizations at HealthyChildren.org.