ercarta
August 10th, 2005, 11:58 PM
Put cell phones on ICE for emergency contact info
Written by Jenny Barkley
Wednesday, 03 August 2005
When an emergency occurs, it’s a good idea to have one’s mobile phone on ICE. “ICE” stands for “In Case of Emergency” and connects emergency personnel with designated contacts for the ill or injured when an unexpected misfortune occurs.
Paramedics around the country have driven the campaign to “ICE” cell phones. Local entities are jumping on the bandwagon.
ICE can save lives. It most certainly will expedite treatment and help people in need at the earliest opportunity.
Representatives from the Paris Community Hospital, Edgar County Special Service Area Agency and Paris Police Department met Tuesday to finalize plans to implement the nationwide program locally.
The process is simple.
Each person who has a cell phone enters an ICE number, such as ICE, ICEwife, ICEmom and so forth. More than one emergency number can be listed, such as - ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 and so forth. ICE1 could contain the listing for a spouse or family member, and ICE2 could list another family member or friend.
Then, if an accident occurs or the phone handler is not able to communicate for any reason, rescue workers can contact the family through a push of the keypad.
“It’s a great plan,” said Dee Burgin of the Paris ambulance service. “Our crews will begin immediately to find the ICE number of a cell phone. If the person is unconscious or can’t talk, we will know who to contact.”
The campaign to use cell phones to help in the treatment or identification of accident and disaster victims was conceived by British paramedic Bob Brotchie. It has taken off worldwide since the first bomb attacks in London recently. Those explosions rendered many victims unidentifiable, which sparked a campaign to spread the ICE idea around the world.
Local emergency services, including Paris Fire Department “first responders,” are backing the plan and implementing it immediately.
Burgin offered that the ambulance service will program the ICE numbers into a phone if the owner cannot do so.
“Or,” Dr. Jeffry Hatcher offered with a grin, “ask a teen to do it for you.” They know all about those things.”
Hatcher noted that sometimes when people are brought to the emergency room, they are unconscious, not recognized, have no identification and no health history.
“That’s when the ICE numbers are important,” he said. “When you really need to have it available, it is priceless. It helps us get the ball rolling, know how to treat someone, and where to go for the answers.”
In fact, anyone with an ICE number in their cell phone is likely to be assisted in many places across the nation, due to the growing popularity of the program. More information about the ICE program is available on the internet at www.ICEcontact.com, including wallet cards that carry emergency information.
Police Chief Ron Humphrey suggested that cell phone carriers tell those who are registered as ICE numbers so they will be prepared if an emergency phone call comes their way.
Over 190 million cell phones are in use in the United States, according to statistics.
“People carry a cell phone if they carry nothing else,” said Hatcher. “Even children have cell phones these days.”
Burgin noted that seven cell companies have service in the immediate area.
“Hopefully these companies will begin to program ICE numbers into the phones they provide to their customers,” Hatcher said. “It is in the public interest that people do this. There is no cost and great advantages.”
So, ICE it! ;)
Paris Beacon article...
http://www.parisbeacon.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1514&Itemid=
ICE Information...
http://icecontact.com/
Written by Jenny Barkley
Wednesday, 03 August 2005
When an emergency occurs, it’s a good idea to have one’s mobile phone on ICE. “ICE” stands for “In Case of Emergency” and connects emergency personnel with designated contacts for the ill or injured when an unexpected misfortune occurs.
Paramedics around the country have driven the campaign to “ICE” cell phones. Local entities are jumping on the bandwagon.
ICE can save lives. It most certainly will expedite treatment and help people in need at the earliest opportunity.
Representatives from the Paris Community Hospital, Edgar County Special Service Area Agency and Paris Police Department met Tuesday to finalize plans to implement the nationwide program locally.
The process is simple.
Each person who has a cell phone enters an ICE number, such as ICE, ICEwife, ICEmom and so forth. More than one emergency number can be listed, such as - ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 and so forth. ICE1 could contain the listing for a spouse or family member, and ICE2 could list another family member or friend.
Then, if an accident occurs or the phone handler is not able to communicate for any reason, rescue workers can contact the family through a push of the keypad.
“It’s a great plan,” said Dee Burgin of the Paris ambulance service. “Our crews will begin immediately to find the ICE number of a cell phone. If the person is unconscious or can’t talk, we will know who to contact.”
The campaign to use cell phones to help in the treatment or identification of accident and disaster victims was conceived by British paramedic Bob Brotchie. It has taken off worldwide since the first bomb attacks in London recently. Those explosions rendered many victims unidentifiable, which sparked a campaign to spread the ICE idea around the world.
Local emergency services, including Paris Fire Department “first responders,” are backing the plan and implementing it immediately.
Burgin offered that the ambulance service will program the ICE numbers into a phone if the owner cannot do so.
“Or,” Dr. Jeffry Hatcher offered with a grin, “ask a teen to do it for you.” They know all about those things.”
Hatcher noted that sometimes when people are brought to the emergency room, they are unconscious, not recognized, have no identification and no health history.
“That’s when the ICE numbers are important,” he said. “When you really need to have it available, it is priceless. It helps us get the ball rolling, know how to treat someone, and where to go for the answers.”
In fact, anyone with an ICE number in their cell phone is likely to be assisted in many places across the nation, due to the growing popularity of the program. More information about the ICE program is available on the internet at www.ICEcontact.com, including wallet cards that carry emergency information.
Police Chief Ron Humphrey suggested that cell phone carriers tell those who are registered as ICE numbers so they will be prepared if an emergency phone call comes their way.
Over 190 million cell phones are in use in the United States, according to statistics.
“People carry a cell phone if they carry nothing else,” said Hatcher. “Even children have cell phones these days.”
Burgin noted that seven cell companies have service in the immediate area.
“Hopefully these companies will begin to program ICE numbers into the phones they provide to their customers,” Hatcher said. “It is in the public interest that people do this. There is no cost and great advantages.”
So, ICE it! ;)
Paris Beacon article...
http://www.parisbeacon.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1514&Itemid=
ICE Information...
http://icecontact.com/