As part of doing any story in the paper one has to do a bit of investigating and this is what I found out re the ICE campaign.
Hi Mick,
As requested, attached is our media release from about a year ago regarding the ICE emails.
ICE emails not from Ambulance
There is an unauthorised email using the Ambulance Service of NSW name being sent
around asking people to join the In Case of Emergency (ICE) campaign using their mobile
phones. This email is not from the Ambulance Service of NSW.
The Ambulance view on the ICE campaign is as follows:
The Ambulance Service has not launched any campaign supporting ICE (In Case of Emergency). Ambulance supports any method of contacting family in a critical medical
emergency. Methods that can be used include information in diaries, wallets, drivers’ licences, and mobile phones. The concept of ICE has merit and would be another source of
information to assist with identification.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE: in cases involving more than one patient or a where a mobile phone has been borrowed from someone else, it may be difficult to confidently match
personal belongings to any one individual. This may in turn lead to unnecessary distress.
The Ambulance Service also advises that as with all stored personal information, individuals need to be mindful of confidentiality issues.
This information is also available on our website: http://www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au
Media Unit
Regards,
Les Majoros
Ambulance Media
Ambulance Service of NSW
Balmain Road (Locked Bag 105)
Rozelle NSW 2039
