Press Release
Novi Fire Department Offers Free
File of Life
Potentially life saving program provides first responders with
important medical information
CONTACT: Frank Smith, Fire Chief - 248-735-5687
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOVI, Michigan, April 18, 2008 – The Novi Fire Department’s File of Life program allows a patient to communicate with emergency responders even if they are unresponsive. The File of Life is a bright red plastic sleeve, roughly the size of a big postcard that affixes to a refrigerator with a magnet. Inside the sleeve is a form on which people can indicate medical history, prescriptions, allergies and emergency contacts. This form allows first responders to know what ailments a patient may be suffering from without having to wait for tests.
“It’s
a helpless feeling when you know a patient has a serious medical
problem but cannot communicate,” commented Novi Fire Chief Frank
Smith. “The File of Life allows patients to communicate to emergency
personnel what their medical history or current prescriptions are.
It is an invaluable tool for patients and fire responders alike.
The free File of Life sleeves can be picked up at the Novi Senior Center, 25075 Meadowbrook Road, located in between Novi and Ten Mile Roads, or any of Novi’s four Fire Stations or sent out by mail. In addition to receiving the File of Life and the medical condition form, there is a voluntary follow up form that which may be mailed to the Novi Fire Department. The follow-up is used to establish a database where users of the program can be reminded to update information and to document the effectiveness of the program itself. The information will also be used to prompt dispatchers to inform first responders that the File of Life is present at a location.
For more information about the File of Life program please contact Fire Protection Officer Todd Seog at 248-349-2162 or via email.