Adding an 'ICE' to a cell phone list can help responders contact loved ones in an emergency

A problem emergency services personnel often have is how to locate someone with necessary information about a victim who is unconscious, dead or otherwise unable to respond to questions. Most forms of identification don't have that information so even if identification is with the victim, it doesn't help responders get in touch with family or others who could help.

A paramedic in East Anglia, England, came up with an additional way to keep that information with you; store it in your cell phone under the acronym ICE, which stands for In Case of Emergency. There have been bracelets and necklaces that provide such information and people often have lists of numbers in their purses and wallets but more information is better than less.

The idea has been spreading mostly through the Internet with emails containing the information being passed from one to another.

Vernon County Ambulance Director James McKenzie said that he hadn't heard anything of the project, but it was one that could help people in the area and be implemented with little effort.

"I haven't heard anything on that," McKenzie said. "We have not even considered that but it sounds like a good idea."

Basically all that a person needs to do to implement it is to store a contact number in the phone under the name 'ICE'. If there are multiple numbers to call they could be stored as 'ICE1', ICE2, etc. Then emergency medical personnel need to look for the information.

"It's certainly something we can do," McKenzie said. "All we have to do is have a meeting and pass it on to the crews."

It isn't foolproof, a phone can be damaged in an accident, it can be separated from the person who owns it, and with the wide variety of cell phones available it may not be readily apparent how to access the directory; but the idea is one that can help.

The Los Angeles Fire Department is familiar with the ICE campaign and offers some advice on their Web site.

"Contrary to several chain e-mail warnings, ICE is not something that Paramedics rush to look for the instant they arrive at an emergency, and is certainly not required in order for LAFD Paramedics to provide quick, focused and compassionate emergency care. We tell people: Add ICE contact information in your cell phone only after you've affixed similar information to (or near) the official photo identification you routinely carry in your wallet."

For more information: http://lafd.blogspot.com/2005/08/lafd-talks-about-ice.html