When firefighters respond to a call at a home, getting into the residence can be a challenge if the victim is suffering a medical emergency. A local fire department has a new program so firefighters can access homes quicker and without forcing entry.
Oregon's Fire Protection District Chief Michael Knoup showed us a new device that could better help firefighters get to victims in the event of an emergency: a Knox Box.
"You put the key in here and open it up. Inside will be a key to their front door," Knoup said. "It's going to allow us access to the person's home, with a key system that is secure, so that when a patient needs help - 'I've fallen and I can't get up, I can't get to the door' - without breaking down the door, we can get access to their home."
The Knox Boxes are meant to save time and prevent damage to a victim's home.
"We will retrieve the key out of our secure system," Knoup said.