Imagine that you are home alone when you begin experiencing chest pain. You call 9-1-1 and then collapse. Paramedics come to your home but you are unable to give them the information they need about your medical history and your medications. They notice a magnet on your refrigerator that tells them you have a “VIAL of L.I.F.E.” inside the refrigerator. They find the vial and the important information they need.
Beginning today, Long Beach residents will be able to use a “VIAL of L.I.F.E (Lifesaving Information for Emergencies)” thanks to the efforts of Fifth District Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske and her partnership with St. Mary Medical Center, the Long Beach Firefighters Association Local 327, Walmart, and Seaside Printing.
The VIAL of L.I.F.E, a nationally recognized program, will enable Long Beach firefighters and paramedics to have quick access to medical information as they administer critical help to an injured or sick person during a 9-1-1 call. A sticker on the residents’ front door and a magnet on the front of the refrigerator alerts first responders to look inside the refrigerator for medical information that is stored inside a large prescription bottle placed on the top shelf of a patient’s refrigerator door. In addition to a completed medical form describing a resident’s personal medical history and medications, the vial can contain other essential information such as copy of identification, emergency contacts, and insurance information. The refrigerator is of choice because of its typical central location and commonality in homes.
Supporters of the program have offered the following supplies: Walmart has provided 1,000 large pill vials (bottles); the Long Beach Firefighters Association Local 372 is paying for a portion of the costs of printing labels and magnets; and Seaside Printing is providing printing services. VIAL of L.I.F.E. kits include: a large pill vial, instruction sheet, medical information sheet, refrigerator magnet and a sticker to be placed on front doors.
“VIAL of L.I.F.E. kits will be available at St. Mary Medical Center Senior Services at 1055 Linden Avenue, and the 5th Council District Neighborhood office at 2760 N. Studebaker Rd.
For more information, go on line to: www.lbvialoflife.com or contact the Office of Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske at [email protected] or by telephone at 562 570-6932.