ICE iPhone App developed with the assistance of the Sumter Disaster Animal
Response TeamThe first step to be taken when preparing for an unforeseen emergency event is to document the medical information of everyone, including the pets. Taking the opportunity to document information and research potential places to go, could make the difference between life or death. EMS Options new alliance with disaster response experts, helped develop a new application called Emergency Data (People & Pets) to help people store and carry this critical information with them at all times.
ICE, International ICE, or a new smart-ICETM…… helps EMS personnel help you or your family in an emergency! Be further prepared with a new smart-ICETM application for your smartphone (check out the smart-ICE Brochure).
ICE, (In case of emergency) enables first responders, such as police, fire and paramedics to identify victims and enable contact with next of kin , guardians or other entrusted persons to obtain important medical information or make emergency notifications . (The ICE concept gained international attention in July 2005 after the London Terrorist Bombings.) The program was conceived in the mid-2000s and promoted by British paramedic Bob Brotchie in May 2005 (Read about the making of ICE). It encourages people to enter emergency contacts in their cell phone contacts list under the name "ICE". Since then it has developed significantly, advanced by EMS Options, along with the advent of ICE applications for smart-phones.
Now we take the original ICE concept and carry if much further by having smart-phone applications that store all of the medical information and emergency contacts.
EMS Options' smart-phone applications for ICE, take advantage of all the new technologies that are available today and provide people with a way to store critical information, in an intuitive, easliy recognized and accessible format.
Critical pieces of information are needed to save lives in an emergency event. Along with accurate information about why a person called 911, medical personnel need basic information about the patient and their medical history. If the patient is 
unable to communicate, the medics are trained to rely on witnesses or search for medica alert bracelets/jewelry/documentation. Fortunately, most people with some type of common medical disease, like a seizure disorder, diabetes or a heart problem will purchase medical alert devices to wear that can be easily found in a billfold 
or purse. In the absence of these items, the medic is forced to use a variety of other techniques, such as visual clues, vital signs and/or witness descriptions to make treatment decisions. This ultimately causes the EMS personnel to use a trial and error methodology that could result in a poor outcome for the patient.
In partnership with My Good Deed’s I Will Campaign and as part of National Preparedness Month, WCC is planning to launch the World Cares Center Challenge on September 1st. The month-long event is intended to energize communities in New York and throughout the tri-state area to adopt individual, family, and community preparedness plans for disasters and emergencies. We challenge you to join World Cares Center in doing your part to make yourself, your household, and your community better prepared for disasters and emergencies. Click the Logo on the left to visit the World Cares Center website.
*NOTE: Apple iTunes is required to be installed on your PC in order to access the iPhone App Store and download the ICE iPhone applications.
