Chesterfield Fire Helps Residents Keep 'File of Life'

When seconds count, Chesterfield Township emergency responders need information at their fingertips.

That's why the township fire department encourages residents to document their medical history, including current medications, in a free kit available at all three stations. Once the File of Life kit is filled out, residents should place the information on their refrigerators and inside their purse or wallets.

Fire Chief Doug Charbonneau said Friday that at least 200 people have received the kits since the program was launched last summer. The advantages are simple: Firefighters will know what medical conditions and medications someone is on at the time of rescue and response.

"It takes a little time to fill out but it’s a worthwhile thing to have," he said.

Patients often are unable to tell firefighters about their specific conditions or pills at time of rescue--complicating matters about how best to treat someone and whether they could have reactions to medications, he added.

The card entails the patent's name, emergency contact information, insurance policy, social security number, health history, medications and dosages, allergies, recent surgeries, religion, doctor’s name and phone number, a health care proxy as well as any advanced directives. There is also a Baseline Vitals Card included with the kit for residents to record vital signs, such as blood pressure and blood sugar, according to the fire department.

The second Saturday of every month has been dedicated to the File of Life program. That means township residents can come into Fire Station #3 on 23 Mile and Baker from 1-3 p.m. to pick up their free kit and receive a free health screening.

For more information call 586-725-2233.