Excerpts from ChicagoTribune.com:
Driven by a common goal to support those in need, the River Forest Township and the River Forest Fire Department have joined forces to better equip seniors for medical emergencies.
This month, they launched a new initiative: distributing ICE (In Case of Emergency) Packets to residents aged 60 and older. These packets include a medical information form that can be filled out and stored in the freezer—where it's easily accessible to paramedics. Alongside the form, seniors will receive a special decal to place on their freezer door, making it easier for first responders to locate the packet quickly.
River Forest Township Supervisor Carla Sloan explained that this effort aligns perfectly with the township’s mission to support seniors through improved health and safety measures.
The ICE form is an updated version of a document that the River Forest Fire Department has been testing over the past few years. Firefighter/Paramedic Dave Bochenek, who leads the initiative, said that in the last year or two, around 20 to 30 forms have been handed out at local events like block parties and neighborhood meetings.
Now, the township has produced 1,500 ICE Packets, which will be distributed starting during Celebrating Seniors Week, running through May 19th. Similar forms are already being used in other communities across the country, and firefighters have reported that they help provide faster and more effective care, according to Bochenek.
The ICE Packet works as a detailed questionnaire where individuals list their current medications, past medical conditions, emergency contacts, insurance details, and more. This helps firefighters make informed decisions quickly, especially if the patient is unable to communicate.
Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), paramedics cannot store any personal information, so they advise patients to keep their ICE Packets with them when they're taken to the hospital.
“With the ICE Packet,†Bochenek added, “even if the patient can't speak, we still have important medical history that can guide our treatment—and do it more efficiently.â€
This program is not only practical but also a meaningful way for the community to look after its elders, ensuring that help arrives faster and with more knowledge in critical moments.
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