Charlotte County Fire & EMS has introduced new sensory assistance bags aimed at helping patients with autism spectrum disorder and others who experience sensory sensitivities during medical emergencies.
The initiative, announced this week, is a partnership between the Southwest Florida Healthcare Coalition, Golisano Children’s Hospital, the SEA STAR Program, and Charlotte County Fire & EMS.
Each bag contains tools designed to reduce stress and improve communication during transport, including noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, fidget spinners, pop-its, tactile brushes, chew rings, and a communication board for nonverbal patients.
The bags have been distributed across all fire and EMS stations and placed on every advanced life support ambulance in the county. Paramedics and EMTs will use them at their discretion to improve patient comfort during emergency calls.
Officials said the program reflects a broader push in emergency medicine to recognize and meet the unique needs of patients with sensory sensitivities.
“This is about making sure every patient receives care in a way that feels safe and supportive,” the department said in a statement.
