HOWELL — Monmouth County Sheriff Joseph W. Oxley and Office on Aging Executive Director John A. Wanat launched their latest collaborative effort, the Gold Star Senior Travel Program, on March 18 at the Howell Senior Center.
According to a press release, the program provides emergency identification for senior citizens when traveling by car. The special identification form is carried in the glove compartment of a senior’s vehicle. Should the senior become ill or involved in a motor vehicle accident, emergency identification and contact information is available on the form to emergency responders.
The program consists of a brochure explaining the program, a Gold Star information form that is completed and detached from the brochure, a plastic pouch in which to place the information sheet and a gold star decal that is affixed to the driver’s side rear window of the car to alert first responders that the operator of the vehicle is a Gold Star participant.
“Representatives from the sheriff’s office and the Office on Aging will present Gold Star programs to senior and civic groups throughout the county,” Oxley said. “A video illustrating the use of the program will be shown, followed by discussion and distribution of the Gold Star Senior Travel packets.”
“I am delighted to be partnering again with Sheriff Oxley and the sheriff’s office in this program,” Wanat said. “Our three current partnerships, Senior Scan — Seniors Fighting Terrorism, Senior Air Traveler, and Project Lifesaver have been extremely successful. I look forward to continuing to work together with Sheriff Oxley and the sheriff’s office to create and implement innovative and contemporary programs to address the needs of Monmouth County’s growing senior population.”
According to the press release, senior vehicle emergency programs have been proven successful in counties in Florida and Connecticut. In one incident in Florida, a senior was driving her granddaughter to school. A serious motor vehicle accident occurred in which the grandmother was killed. The emergency responders found her emergency identification form in the glove box of her car. One of the emergency numbers was her son’s cell phone number. Her son was immediately notified and responded to the scene of the accident in time to accompany his daughter to the hospital.
“Emergency identification works and we are pleased to be able to offer this emergency identification program to Monmouth County seniors,” Wanat said.
“My top priority as sheriff is the safety and security of Monmouth County residents,” Oxley said. “By partnering with other county agencies, like the Office on Aging, in developing and implementing programs for senior safety, we are ensuring that Monmouth County remains a safe and secure place to live, work and raise a family.”