ICE is cool in the summer

Written by L. James Biddle Monday, 21 June 2010 00:00

With the arrival of summer and the end of the school year, travel is welcomed change in many lives. Travel can result in the need for special solutions for potentially special problems.  The Newtown Square Fire Company has posed a meaningful question, “What can be done to assist emergency personnel if I need help when I am on vacation or away from home?”

The answer to this question was obtained in 1995 when an English paramedic shared with a Newtown Square firefighter a simple procedure that helps emergency personnel begin meaningful and proper assistance. Any cellular telephone savvy police officer or EMS crewmember can do better treatments through contacts made with the assistance of ICE.

Now, more than 15 years following learning of this simple cellular telephone tool, Newtown Square Fire Company’s EMS Advisor Lisa Migliori explained the concept introduced by the Cambridge, England-based paramedic.  The simple entry of ICE, In Case of Emergency permits the entry of an emergency contact number without divulging a large amount of private information.

Following a series of incidents last year where Bob Brotchie and his East Anglian Ambulance National Health Service Trust colleagues were stymied by the ongoing struggle to obtain contact emergency data from ill or incoherent patients.  ICE was born and this simple entry in a Cellular telephone list of names has aided emergency providers provide prompt, meaningful assistance.

In explaining the Newtown Square Fire Company campaign, Mrs. Migliori volunteered, “This is a concept that needs to be shared. By establishing a national ICE program in America, we can aid by launching a regional, and hopefully a national campaign. Campaign.  With continuing growth of cellular phone, there is no better form of emergency notification. “

In explaining the mechanics, Newtown Square’s Migliori added, “This concept was brought to our attention by Marisa Silage, a former active member of the local emergency medical providers.” 

She explained the simple but effective steps to create one or more ICE members.

These steps begin by typing the acronym ICE followed by a contact name (for example, ICE – mother or ICE – David, or some other name) into the address book of the cellular phone.  Next, save this number in your phone list and also remember to tell your ICE contact that they are an emergency contact.

In concluding her introduction of ICE, the Newtown Square Fire Company’s EMS Advisor Lisa Migliori stressed, “With so many entries in the normal cell phone listing, the addition of ICE makes it easy to know whom to call.  More than one ICE entry is a good practice.

The EMS-trained firefighters strongly stress, “Help us so we can help you. ICE will speak for you when you are not able to talk for yourself.”

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