Vital information available when communication is an issue | Jamestown News

The Community Resource Unit connects the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office with the public through crime prevention, safety education, and community programs. In addition to Project Lifesaver, which is used to locate youths and adults prone to wander due to autism, Alzheimer’s disease or other brain disorders (see story “Bringing loved ones home”), the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office Community Resource Unit endorses the Yellow Dot Program.

The program puts essential information into the hands of medical personnel when communication may be a problem, i.e. following a car accident or medical emergency in the home if verbal communication is not possible.

During medical emergencies time can be crucial to saving lives. Background information readily available about someone in a medical crisis can have a major impact on his/her care.

The Yellow Dot Program provides that information when verbal communication is lacking. Personal and medical information is placed on one’s refrigerator or in the glove compartment of a vehicle where emergency medical professionals can easily access it. 

The program started in Connecticut in 2002 and soon spread to other states. Following an article in USA Today in May 2011 interest in the program rose nationwide. Guilford County was one of the first areas in North Carolina to adopt the Yellow Dot Program.

A Yellow Dot packet would consist of a personal photo, completed personal information form, Yellow Dot decals and Yellow Dot Folder.

To complete, have someone take a photo of you, print it and tape it to the front of the information form. Fill out the form. There is no financial or identity-sensitive information on it. The form includes medical history, allergies, medications and dosage taken, names of doctors and contacts in case of emergencies. Put it in the glove box or on the refrigerator where first responders are trained to look. 

If desired, decals are available to place on your front door or the lower left corner of your vehicle rear windshield to alert first responders that medical information is available.

Yellow Dot is not just for senior citizens. Anyone can be involved in an accident or experience a medical emergency in which they may not be able to talk. It only takes a few minutes of time to complete the information that could possibly provide life-saving benefits.

For questions about the Yellow Dot Program, contact Sergeant C. Stephens at 336-641-5313 or [email protected].