The Alliance Review, Ohio
ALLIANCE, Ohio —An Alliance funeral home is underwriting the cost of an app they think will save lives.
Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral and Cremation Service is putting its efforts behind the app designed to help first responders in an emergency.
The Vital ICE app is available for use on smartphones via the code 1050. ICE stands for In Case of Emergency.
After users download the app from Apple’s app store or Google Play, users fill in vital health information and emergency contacts that EMS crews can access if you become incapacitated in such instances as traffic crashes or home emergencies.
Alliance Fire Chief Jason Hunt said his workers will be able to find vital data on patients if they cannot communicate.
“It is just another tool that can benefit us,” Hunt said, adding that it’s important for social service organizations, hospital staff and entities such as the Alliance Area Senior Center to offer information on the tool.
“Not only do we need to get people to get this app, but also train personnel to look for it,” Hunt said. “We need to drive this home.”
John Christian, one of the funeral home’s owners, said he’s heard success stories that have resulted from use of the app.
“We saw the value in the program, which we have had available for the last few years. Jason will facilitate access to the program, as he has more clout than we do,” Christian said.
The app has been downloaded more than 2,500 times through the access code.
“We hear a lot of stories where this app could be useful, especially for those who live alone or don’t have access to a family member nearby,” Christian said.
Christian’s son Adam, who also works for the funeral home, said it’s a smart idea to use this type of technology.
“Technology across the generations has been able to provide peace of mind,” Adam Christian said. “This app helps to assure that communication can happen even in the most difficult circumstances. The app is straight-forward and well-designed, and hopefully folks embrace it.”
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©2019 The Alliance Review, Ohio