ICE contact cards get warm reception

Ran Wednesday, August 8, 2007

ICE contact cards get warm reception

By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-telegram Staff

Imagine an infant whose parents have just been killed in a car accident. The child has no way to communicate with authorities to tell them who to contact.
Eau Claire County law enforcement doesn't want that to happen in the Chippewa Valley. AAA today is unveiling the In Case of Emergency Contact Program so someone can be contacted in an emergency.
ICE cards are available at AAA's Eau Claire office, 3630 Oakwood Hills Parkway, and from the Eau Claire County Sheriff's Department.
"Following a traffic crash or other emergency, it is critical to get immediate medical treatment for victims and notify their loved ones," said Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent David Collins. "Too often their actions are delayed because law enforcement officials and other emergency response personnel cannot quickly identify victims' emergency contacts."
Eau Claire Police Lt. Karl Fisher recalls many cases where he has had difficulty identifying the victim.
"This is an excellent program," Fisher said.
ICE encourages motorists to use a variety of ways to identify someone to call in an emergency.
The first is a small card with names and numbers in the glove compartment, console or visor. Second, the letters ICE should be programmed in cell phones next to names of people to be called.
"First responders are trained to look to personal belongings to get hold of a person to talk to," Pam Moen of AAA Wisconsin said. "This is about saving time."
Eau Claire County Sheriff's Department Capt. Jeff Pettis said he remembers a fatal car accident where two extra hours were tacked on to an investigation trying to identify a family.
"It's amazing the number of people who travel without identification at all," Pettis said. "This is only going to help."
Moen recommends listing three people. A spouse or significant other may seem like an obvious choice, but they often accompany the driver, she said.