Tell Authorities What To Do, Where To Go

SANTA CLARA, CA -- Medical emergencies can happen anytime.

When they do, there is confusion, panic and urgency. Public safety dispatchers, police officers, fire fighters and paramedics often have very little or no information about the person in need.

• Does the patient have prior medical conditions?...
• ...Or Allergies?
• What medications are they taking?
• Who do they want us to call?
• How do we contact their family or friends?

Seconds count – and, can make the difference between life and death.

The Santa Clara Police Department would like to urge its citizens to have the "File of Life" on hand to place these answers at its residents' fingertips. It allows first responders to immediately begin the best possible treatment, notify loved ones and pass this vital data on to awaiting physicians at the emergency room.

File of Life forms, as well as advance directives - which indicate 'do not resuscitate' (DNR) orders - and doctor's orders for life sustaining treatment should be placed in a special red magnetic sleeve and kept in a noticeable location. The refrigerator is a common place to find them.

File of Life forms are available online (http://santaclaraca.gov/home/showdocument. The magnetic sleeve to hold the forms can be obtained at any of the Santa Clara Fire Department's 10 fire stations, which can be found here (http://missioncity.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapTour.

--Image courtesy of Santa Clara Police Department