ICE information helps first responders

  • Published
  • By Heidi Hunt
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Air Force Global Strike Command members are required to carry a driver's license while operating a motor vehicle, but in the event of an accident, an issued identification card does not provide information about how to reach an emergency contact.

"If something happens to you and you are incapacitated, the common practice is for responders to look through your cell phone and find out who your 'ICE' or In 'Case of Emergency number' is," said Col. Rickey Rodgers, 509th Bomb Wing vice commander.

"Programming emergency contact information into your cell phone under the listing 'ICE' enables first responders, to identify victims and contact their next of kin in case of an accident, avoiding a delay in notification," said Lt. Col. Dana McCown, 55th Maintenance Squadron Commander, Offutt AFB, Neb.

Colonel McCown emphasized the program after her parents were killed in a car accident by a drunk driver in 2007.

"My family and I experienced several 'lessons learned' which I felt are important to share with my teammates," Colonel McCown said.

"My Mom had her emergency contact information in the glove box, but had my Dad listed as the person to contact," she said. "As a result, my sister and I did not get 'notified' of their deaths, instead we had to go find our parents, which isn't something I would wish on anyone. At the time, I was stationed at Randolph AFB, Texas, and my sister and her family was stationed here and my parents lived in Avon, Fla.

"Today, I recommend everyone program ICE in their cell phone, carry contact information and store it in their glove box," she said. "I also recommend listing a secondary point of contact with a number for someone who doesn't normally ride in your vehicle."

Having lived through this experience, Colonel McCown said it is equally important to not delay the notification of a car accident.

www.Sheriff.org offers the following on how to enter ICE into your cell phone:

1. Access the address book feature on your cellular device
2. Enter the words ICE followed by the name of the person you wish to be contacted in the event of an emergency situation
3. Next enter that persons phone number

"The only word of caution I have about programming ICE into your cell phone is it should serve as a back-up plan," she said "Servicemembers should have their DD Form 93 Virtual Record of Emergency Data updated at all times and should carry ICE cards or emergency contact information in the vehicle glove box."

Colonel McCown said it's important for individuals to understand that not all first responders will check your cell phones for ICE information.

"Some may or may not check, but it serves as a great back-up plan and many responders I've been in contact with say they will look up the ICE information if it's listed and if their phones are unlocked," Colonel McCown said.