MSP partners with Vitals to make the airport safer for those with disabilities, medical conditions

The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport has announced a collaboration with Vitals, a company pioneering accessibility technology and tools, to make medical information available to nearby first responders at the airport via the Vitals app.

The app allows caregivers and self advocates with disabilities and medical conditions to upload useful information for first responders — such as behavior triggers, de-escalation techniques and allergies– — in the event of an emergency. When within 80 feet of a traveler with the Vitals Bluetooth fob or app, first responders are notified and granted access to the information provided by the user.

“With the Vitals app, we give our officers critical information to assist them in providing appropriate service and care to community members,” says Craig Wilson, deputy chief of the airport police department. “It helps our officers establish more sense of trust and safety for all individuals at the airport, which is our top priority,” he added.

MSP is the first airport in the country to partner with Vitals and take part in their mission to make airports safer and more accessible for travelers with visible and invisible medical conditions or disabilities. Vitals was founded in partnership with the Autism Society of Minnesota in St. Paul in 2017, and has since then become a certified autism resource.

When it comes to travelers with disabilities, “you can’t tell just by looking at them that they have a condition, and that ends up resulting in tragic outcomes… it can oftentimes result in death, lawsuits and a lack of trust in our organizations, ” says Janeé Harteau, CEO and president of Vitals and retired Minneapolis police chief.

Because it is digital, a users medical profile can be available to first responders almost anywhere.

“There is no geographic boundary for (the app)… we are in Minnesota, California, Ohio, Massachusetts, we just launched in Fort Collins, Colorado and we’re also connected to over 85% of all 911 centers in the country” Harteau said.

The integration of Vitals at MSP will be in full effect in mid-July, according to Vitals’ chief marketing officer, Joe Meyers. A first-tier subscription costs $2.99 per month, and is waiver-billable for those in need of financial assistance.

“We know that first responders are having to make split second decisions with little to no information. The Vitals app is a game changer, it truly has saved lives,” Harteau said. Related Articles

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