New Gloucester Fire Rescue will be distributing free File of Life emergency medical information kits at Town Meeting on Monday, May 6, at Memorial School.
File of Life kits include cards for listing key medical information like health conditions, allergies, and medications, as well as emergency contacts.
A bright red magnetic pouch for the fridge and a compact one for a wallet, pocket or purse are included in the kit, along with directions for completing the forms.
Fire Rescue Chief Craig Bouchard says that File of Life information can provide immediate, critical help to First Responders in situations where an individual is unable to communicate or family members or friends may lack detailed information.
“It also enables us to pass on to the hospital full medical history and emergency contacts,” Bouchard says.
Bouchard recommends putting the magnetic File of Life pouch on the front of the fridge or other prominent location where responders will see it, and carrying the smaller one in a wallet or purse when outside the home.
The File of Life is a nationwide life-saving program; the local effort is an initiative of BLING, Building Livability in New Gloucester, in collaboration with Fire Rescue. Kits have been provided at no cost by AARP, one of the benefits from New Gloucester’s recent designation as an Age-Friendly Community by AARP.
Pick up this invaluable emergency resource at the NG Fire Rescue table at Town Meeting, Monday, May 6, at Memorial School, 86 Intervale Road. Voter check-in begins at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting starts at 7.
Unable to make it to Town Meeting? Get your File of Life kit by stopping by the Fire Station, 611 Lewiston Road. And to learn more about BLING and its projects and to find community resources for all ages, visit BlingNewGloucester.com.
— Joanne Cole
