November 29, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2007-83) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org ICE – IN CASE OF EMERGENCY INITIATIVE It is estimated that there are over 192 million cell phone users in the United States and eight out of ten people aren’t carrying information that would help if they were involved in an accident. Storing next of kin details in your cell phone can assist the emergency responders if you are unable to tell them who to contact. What if you’re in a car accident and rendered unconscious or at the mall or work and become incapacitated? ICE, which stands for In Case of Emergency is a simple, free and easy initiative that was conceived by Bob Brotchie, a paramedic in Great Britain, which has gained momentum on both sides of the Atlantic to try and solve a problem for firefighters, paramedics, law enforcement and other emergency responders in emergency situations. All a person has to do is put ICE in their cell phone and make it easier for emergency responders to contact loved ones in case of an emergency or getting medical history such as allergies to any medications, a history of heart disease or if they have a Do Not Resuscitate order. Simply use your cell phone address book to store the name and number of someone who should be contacted if you have an emergency, but add the letters ICE in front of their name, i.e. ICE – Dave, ICE – Mom and for more than one contact name use ICE 1 – Dave, ICE 2 – Mom or simply ICE 1 or ICE 2. Make sure that person knows your medical history. Storing an ICE number makes it easier for everyone if you’re involved in an accident. It only takes a few seconds and it’s free. ###