Spry Memorial sponsors, local responders endorse emergency app

Disaster preparedness is encouraged constantly in schools and the community, but what about accident preparedness? If a person is involved in an accident – whether it’s a car, fire or medical emergency – first responders need to know any and all vital information to properly do their jobs and save lives.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs’ Yellow Dot Program has, for years, provided a way for first responders to know that a person’s medical information is available in the car or home. In this constantly-developing technology era, information like that has begun to move to mobile devices.

“Anything that helps first responders know and help the victims is a good idea,” Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett said.

Spry Memorial Chapel in Russellville has collaborated with Vitalboards and the Vital ICE app to help make that information more readily available for first responders.

“We respond to a lot of wrecks and situations, and if a person is unresponsive due to a reason that could be health-related, we need to know that. It could be life changing,” said Russellville Fire Chief Joe Mansell.

The Vital ICE app lets the user document important information like the person’s blood type, weight, allergies and medical conditions, including their current medicines. Users of the app can also upload a picture of themselves and a photo of their insurance card.

“It has more details than the iPhone’s in case of emergency setting, which I like,” Russellville Fire Marshal Justin Green said.

The app is available in the Apple Store or Google Play Store. Local users must download the Vital ICE app and use the code #1122 to access Spry’s platform.