The folks at News 10 Now and the Central Oneida County Volunteer Ambulance Corp (COCVAC) are now up to speed on the availability of the many ICE tools online and ready to be used by the people in their community - located at ICE4SAFETY!  Let's see if the folks in Oneida get the message via their EMS Providers.

Let's realize that using ICE is NOT just about cell phones anymore.....it is a system of straigthforward steps used to ensure you are prepared for many of life's emergencies - everyday and everywhere.  This isn't a gimmick, it is a way of life.  Using your brain and not relying on a machine.

Terrorism, disasters, accidents all are a reality folks - no matter where you are you need to be cognizant of your surroundings and make an effort to be able to help yourself.   

You can review the message from the Operations Director of COCVAC at the link below.


http://news10now.com/content/top_stories/132622/emts-are-looking-for--ice-/Default.aspx

No reason you can't have some meaningful public interaction (aka: fun) while promoting a topic as serious as safety and preparedness.  Maybe your fire department or ambulance corp is hurting financially like all the rest of us and maybe you have a fund-raising event of some type coming up.  We have even posted some 15 unique new graphic changes to the ICE Image as seen on our ICE in Pictures Page which will help attract some added attention.

If you are looking for a theme then look no further... people want to take away something from these fundraising events whether it is a shirt, hat or in this case a fully functional safety notification system that can be put in play immediately. 

We hear ambulance corps and fire/rescue groups moan about people not being prepared....here's a chance for you to take a good shot at changing that.  Use the idea of being prepared as a theme - print the ICE image on your ticket - but only if it is for the legit cause of raising awareness and attendance at your fund-raiser.  

The tools are available and the hard work is done.  Big dollar financial donors are going to drop off like flies this year with the prospect of higher taxes, less income and who knows what else.  For those smaller community groups - people seem so tired of those unhealthy candy bars they feel compelled to buy from co-workers - time for a change?

Certainly a kid's safety poster contest might be in order for those progressive organizations that don't mind mixing it up with the community they serve.  You could even have Boy/Girl Scout groups help with the distribution and education of the public about ICE.  One Boy Scout already has done this in the Boston area for his Eagle Project.  

ICE4SAFETY has created a new series of posters meant to inspire folks to practice home fire safety when fires are most devastating - Winter.  This is a good project for Boy Scouts and other community service groups but once you get right down to it - if you are fortunate to have hydrants in your neighborhood....you would be wise to make sure the firefighters don't have to shovel it out.  Every minute counts!  

If you rely on water from a pond ....keep the route to the dry stand pipe open!

Also, having a fire escape plan and a quick grab bag with essentials to toss out the window on your way out will keep you from freezing to death in your PJ's.  Surviving the fire and dying of hypothermia is not the answer.  Two cities have an on line Adopt a Hydrant Program - Fairfax, Virginia and Southfield Michigan.  Good work.  Now if you are lucky enough to have some snow (we ski) get out and find that hydrant!

Find the Zip File of Posters on the ICE Tools Page    

 

Some drug store chains have decide that their Vial Programs lacked the flexibility that matches that of the user....in other words the programs were limited by the use of the vial itself and the many questionable and unrecognizable symbols used in that process.

Still they persist because they might have considerable financial investments in this expensive method. It has been around since the 70's.

Some of these drug chains are now actually creating an auto vial idea that expands the use of the concept to the automobile. So when you venture forth from your home or ride....what do you do? 
Indeed, what do you do when you travel somewhere across the country or overseas...... go backpacking, kayaking, biking or engage in other sporting activity...
At emergency management situations you wouldn't expect to see a large flag or poster up bearing the likeness of a prescription container or the company advertising?  Not likely - so why have your community buy into a system with so little flexibility?  Most times because no one is buying anything....they get the vials for free so someone else can advertise for them. 

Here is a litmus test for you....if the vial sticker has a company logo the same size or larger than the symbol used to denote the purpose of the vial and contents, then it is an advertisement.  Simple as that.  The main purpose is to alert responders to an emergency - not advertise drugs.

Well you decide what kind of public profile you want to present, be it one of preparedness or some confusing message. ICE can work to compliment this old program or replace it because it is recognized in more places than a regionally supported proprietary program might be.  So you might ask yourself, is this program meant to sell drugs (the biggest income for drug stores obviously) to a target group (over 50?) or is it a real public service?

Bottom line - using ICE for HOME/AUTO/TRAVEL/WORK is still the most flexible and cost effective solution for preparedness and one that continues to find new uses - now solutions can be accomplished using ICE in RFID and 2D Barcode. 
* * * *  

Since we are on the topic of ski safety and using ICE for winter recreation, here are some ideas for you on simple safety poster creation and actual use of and ICE Sticker on a ski helmet.

These pics were taken at Labrador Mountain in Truxton, NY [http://www.labradormtn.com/] recently where the ski patrol was conducting training.

This poster took just a few minutes to make and if rotated with some other posters around the lodge, might get some attention and reinforce the "be nice" signs you'll see on the ski lift towers.

Face it, you can be nice as they come and still get whacked pretty bad by some totally irresponsible (or novice)person on the slopes who is not.

Time during an emergency is important - sometimes communications in remote ski areas is less than ideal - cell phones won't work, radio system interoperability is not established or staffing shortages causes a delay. Family plans often do not include what to do in an emergency - just when to meet for lunch.

For the five or ten minutes it takes to complete an ICE Card, place an ICE Sticker on your helmet (or skis) and fill out a Medical Info Form you can improve your odds of survival markedly. No program where you are? No problem - SASE to ICE4SAFETY gets you the ICE Materials FREE.

Parents? Are your children participating in a school ski program after school? Is your school safety plan as comprehensive as you'd like it to be. If not, then it might be time to speak up.

We are full time safety professionals that review and recommend safety programs all day long for a living. BS is simply one thing that won't pass muster in an emergency. Nice part about ICE - when ski season is over, you can use it for rollerblading and kayaking next summer.....

Take control of your own safety and don't take it for granted or entrust it to people who don't place that as upmost in their business plan. Ask yourself what level of safety preparedness are you willing to settle for? (Answer: The Best of Course!)

Let your ski mountain know about ICE and that you are using it. The Local and National Ski Patrol is a truly dedicated group of people - some of the best in fact...we know first hand about that! So, help them out will ya please!  Certainly snowmobilers and other winter sport activities can take advantage of using ICE.

Whether you are going downhill on skis, boards or any winter sport or you are managing a ski resort operation, using ICE has never made more sense! ICE can benefit both the winter sport enthusiast as well as the businesses that provide the fun!

Being in a remote location, away from medical facilities and what we are normally accustomed to can increase your risk in an emergency. Using ICE and being prepared can reduce that risk and help others better serve you in an emergency. It also makes perfect business sense.

We are all on the slopes to have fun and getting sick or injured is not usually part of the thought process when arranging our day out. As safety professionals, we recognize that all too well and have provided ICE as a part of the solution to this potential problem. Being prepared in any venue that can be risky is simply being smart. It might also mean the difference between having a great time or a totally ruined vacation.

Ski managers can use ICE as a Safety Icon throughout their facilities - people can be trained in seconds to recognize the high visibility symbol that can represent safe areas, emergency equipment, communication centers, first aid stations and preplanned evacuation sites. Strategically placed posters can reinforce this message alerting downhill folks about ICE. These can be placed at lift sites, ticket kiosks, locker rooms, entrance ways and at the end of the lift so everyone gets the message. It works for seniors, juniors and staff.

This is really too easy - and for you managers facing tough economic times because of the weather, relax because this system won't bankrupt you or your customers.

Ski Patrols can sponsor safety programs by distributing ICE Stickers and ICE Cards to skiers and boarders (and patrollers) at their ski shacks and at the lodge when people are picking up lift passes. You can even integrate ICE into your ski pass system using 2D Barcodes or RFID and scanners can become a part of the emergency equipment and lift setup.

You can even mail them out ahead of season to schools using your facilities so when the inevitable injury occurs (not to you of course!) ski patrollers can respond more effectively and quickly in helping you. If you were a school risk manager and had to recommend a slope with a good safety program.....wouldn't you pick one that used ICE and insisted upon more than ski etiquette or the traditional adult left in the lodge carrying the emergency contact list.

What is your backup plan? ICE even has a workplace Emergency Action Planning Tool and weatherproof posters that can mean locating the information around your facility so everyone can become familiar with what to do in a mass evacuation or disaster.

ICE information and hyperlinks can be placed on your mountain website to show your commitment to safety and that you are taking it to a really personal level by providing your customers with more than simply a piece of mind!

ICE is truly international in scope, using the non-language dependent E.123 Standard http://www.ice4safety.com/unstd.html can help first responders recognize emergency information anywhere around the world. ICE is even linked from the well respected ski-injury.com website at http://www.ski-injury.com/

We won't get in to the various logistics and communications (not to mention LANGUAGE)challenges each ski area faces but you can be certain that getting information and making contact with someone who knows you and can help is one that can always be improved upon!

Managers - ICE can be as high profile as you like, it is inexpensive - but effective, the tools are easily adapted to your site in minutes, they are free (now you are listening) internationally recognized, easily understood, can be great for promotional events like Helmet Safety or Race Days and can be used by your employees, ski patrollers (their families too!) as well as your patrons. Your mountain can sponsor the distribution of this safety program for increased public recognition. Integrate ICE into your written safety program - we have that.

Customers will take this safety system with them off season as well - in their car, their wallets and to their friends and relatives.....that might mean more repeat business!

Did we mention you can place your logo or website address on the ICE items your distribute (free)? Yes, that too! Need a fundraiser for the patrollers? Use ICE in that event.
Designed by a skier, paramedic, public and industry safety professional, we know this works.

It has been a public service for over 3 years. Our hand is not in your pocket. We still provide free ICE Tools for those sending a SASE to us. If you want to sponsor part of the giveaway program - let us know and your business can benefit by free advertising on the ICE websites.

Skiers - This just makes great common sense - and the ICE Sticker on your board, skis or helmet with your Medical Info Form or ICE Card in your bibs or jacket ski pass window can be in addition to your cell phone being programmed with emergency contact information.

Be prepared - and have a really great ski trip! See you out there.....