Crime & Safety
Fremont PD Is First In The Nation To Adopt CODE JOSHUA, For Neurodiverse Emergencies
The new alert system and registry aims to improve safety and communication during crises involving individuals with autism.
FREMONT, CA — The Fremont Police Department has become the first law enforcement agency in the United States to implement CODE JOSHUA, a pioneering emergency alert system and registry designed to assist first responders in safely managing situations involving individuals with autism and intellectual developmental disabilities (IDD).
Developed by the nonprofit organization Joshua’s Gift, CODE JOSHUA provides dispatchers and emergency personnel with critical, individualized information—such as behavioral traits, communication preferences, and potential triggers—about registered individuals. This information enables responders to approach and interact with neurodiverse individuals with greater understanding and sensitivity during emergencies.
"As parents of a son with autism, we've personally experienced the fear and anxiety that comes with these situations," said Joshua’s Gift co-founders Kerry Rich and Mizpah Brown-Rich. "We created CODE JOSHUA to help prevent other families from enduring traumatic experiences during encounters with first responders."
The system operates through a voluntary registry where families can submit detailed profiles of their loved ones. When a 911 call is received, dispatchers can access this information to inform responding officers, firefighters, or paramedics, facilitating a more tailored and compassionate response.
"We recognize that individuals with autism and IDD have unique triggers that require specialized responses," said Fremont Police Lieutenant Calvin Tang. "A comprehensive database like CODE JOSHUA is essential in keeping them safe and effectively communicating with their families."
CODE JOSHUA also includes visible window decals for homes and vehicles, alerting first responders to the presence of a registered individual. The registry is accessible in 17 languages, including American Sign Language, ensuring broad community participation.
Families interested in enrolling can visit www.joshuasgift.org/code-joshua to register and obtain more information.
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