ICE: In Case of Emergency

In Case of Emergency...

ICE, or "In Case of Emergency," is a simple action that people can perform to make their cell phones more effective in emergency situations. By programming the phone number of an easy-to-reach friend or family member into the phone's directory and identifying them as I-C-E, a first responder who recovers the phone after an accident can easily communicate with the elected party.

Since 1989, the 9-1-1 ACOG system has effectively managed and replaced 120 different phone numbers that were previously used to reach police, fire, and EMS service in the Central Oklahoma region.

ACOG works with all the police, fire and EMS providers and first responders in the region and we encourage the public to implement the ICE system.

It's fast.
It's free.
It's voluntary,
and it is secure.

There is no simpler way of letting the emergency services know who to contact should you be involved in an accident than by using ICE.

ICEing a cell phone can make it a "lifeline," and can help assist the emergency response process, especially if the victim has pre-existing medical conditions that could affect their post-accident treatment, or if they are simply unable to talk.

Accidents are sometimes unavoidable. Imagine the trauma and shock of an accident, and think how reassuring the communications process can be for someone - knowing that they are one button away from contacting a family member.

There are currently 780,000 cell phone subscribers in the Central Oklahoma region. This means that nearly 8 out of every 10 citizens possesses a cellular phone in our metropolitan area.

Many of these people acquired a wireless phone because they found it a necessary personal safety need. Now, by simply programming a phone number, the cell phone can become even more valuable than ever.

As 9-1-1 ACOG prepares to make the 9-1-1 system more effective for all cell phone users, the ICE project can be yet another emergency communications tool that will make the 9-1-1 system remain effective as the "hotline for help."

Background

The ICE concept was the brainchild of Cambridge-based paramedic Bob Brotchie, who works for the East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust.

He discovered that most accident victims carry no next of kin details, yet most carry a mobile phone.
ICE was launched in early 2005 in conjunction with the Vodafone and Daily Express backed Life Savers awards, and was endorsed by Falklands War hero Simon Weston. "The whole idea is brilliant, purely and simply because of modern lifestyles," he said. "It's a very sensible and campaign and I wholly endorse it."

For more information, visit the British site at www.icecontact.com

How to ICE Your Phone

ICE will allow ambulance crews and police officers to quickly contact a nominated person who can be informed of the incident.

• Type the acronym ICE followed by a contact name (for example, ICE - mom or ICE – brother Dennis) into the address book of your mobile phone
• Save their phone number
• Tell your ICE contact that you have nominated them

ICE in Central Oklahoma

ICE is endorsed in the Central Oklahoma region by the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) and the 9-1-1 Association of Central Oklahoma Governments and police, fire and EMS departments that service the greater metropolitan area.

For more information, visit www.emsaonline.com/iceadvice.html.