ICE - In Case of Emergency is a concept that has gained recognition as an emergency preparedness tool worldwide since being introduced by U.K. paramedic Bob Brotchie in 2005. ICE has gained considerable utility not only for use in electronic devices but as a business and community based safety, preparedness and educational tool that is exceptionally easy to promote and use in everyday life - be it home, school, work and recreation purposes.  

The concept stresses the need for people to take more responsibility for their own safety by being more personally prepared for emergency situations.

Using ICE was endorsed as a safety best practice by the ASSE in September 2005 and a variety of Emergency Physicians/Nurse Groups, Hospitals, Medical Charity Groups and safety professionals since. It has been featured in state,   local and county fairs since 2005 as well.

Preparedness is the core principle of the ICE concept and tools designed around this idea are actively being uses and promoted in North America as well as in Europe, Asia and African countries. These core principles are reflected in the ICE Elements image in the slide show.

The various trademarked ICE Images submitted are in use across the United States, Canada, Europe. Asia and Africa.  They can/have been modified by the trademark owner to reflect locality, agency-sponsoring organizations as well as business using them to comply with OSHA Safety Regulations as Emergency Action Plan Tools (29CFR1910 & 29CFR1926) or voluntary preparedness plans suggested by DHS. 

Reflective ICE Placards and ICE Banners can easily be used to identify emergency shelters or coordinate groups in natural and man made disaster situations and can be deployed rapidly at any time in preparation or during such events. 

Creative versions of the ICE image have been available at no charge to the public for use as educational tools for teachers or for unique promotional tools such as banners, posters, tool box safety discussions, "best practice" safety discussions, website hyperlinks, brochures, smartphone applications and all aspects of preparedness tool identification and recognition. 

Adaptations of the image have been used as fund raising tools for non-profits as and can be used to help raise funds for local EMS/Fire organizations.

In 2008 the United Nations ITU Agency promulgated an international standard for the use of ICE in electronic devices designated E.123. Standardizing the programming of electronic devices by utilizing Arabic Numerals to denote primary emergency contacts simplifies the process, reduces errors by user and first responders in an emergency.   

Electronic devices are already designed to recognize the non-language dependent system and prioritize emergency contacts automatically thus making E.123 useful worldwide and great for international travelers!

Advanced tools have been created as emergency medical applications on smartphones - specifically smart-ICE which has been developed and supported by a professional paramedic and fire fighter.  Cell phones capable of displaying images can utilize the ICE image in the display for free to rapidly identify the phone as an emergency notification device!

ICE Cards, Medical/Contact Information Forms, ICE Stickers ICE Vials, ICE Reflective Placards and Vests and a host of emergency oriented devices are already in use in communities and can be easily disseminated prior to an emergency to improve the likelihood of access to critical information in such emergencies where medical intervention or evacuation is necessary.  Safety road stops can be initiated by public safety and law enforcement officials to inform people about using ICE, provide supplies  and assist those needing help complete forms and equip vehicles with the emergency kits and stickers.

Instructional materials describing how to use this concept for those purposes are already in existence and other can be created by end user agencies or individuals alike for use in their community.  Reflective ICE Placards have been affixed to emergency vehicles to reinforce the concept to the community and serve as a conduit of information to citizens wanting to learn more about the concept or receive ICE Tools for their personal preparedness use.

There is even a "how to" about bringing ICE to your community written by those who have as well as a "roll call talk" for Police/Fire/EMS roll call training sessions written by Police/EMS/Fire themselves.  All ICE tools have been designed to be adapted and modified for use by business and government who can display their respective logos as a means of showing support.

The ICE image is easy to recognize, easy to train on and assign as a symbol relating to emergency preparedness and adaptable for a myriad of situations and applications related to safety, emergency preparedness and education.

ICE can be used by anyone in any community anywhere in the world because it is non-language dependent and it can be deployed immediately. The success of the concept is not solely dependent upon one device, electronic database or jewelry item but rather on the redundancy of preparation efforts, practical application, situational awareness and common sense.  

Persons can still receive a FREE personal ICE Kit as a public service that provides ICE Cards, ICE Stickers, ICE Card Holders, Instructions -Information for free via SASE at ICE4SAFETY.COM  You can use these tools in your home, on your person, vehicle as well as for work and recreational applications.

This site and the ICE Google Blog  describe where ICE is in use, free information and tools on how to use ICE and community efforts to promote ICE across North America. EMS-Options, LLC has provided adaptations of the smart-ICE application for fund raising and public awareness for non-profits.

Added 1-6-11:  A new SMS Emergency Broadcast Service is almost done establishing an ICE Emergency Broadcast Network where people can simply text in to subscribe to emergency broadcasts in their home/work area or any area they travel to. Once they submit the text message persons will begin getting emergency broadcasts from agencies using the network.  Simple and FREE.  Easy in and easy out with options for business to sponsor the broadcasts as well. 

ICE4SAFETY can and has supported business initiatives as a means of advancing the concept or preparedness. We continue to add more....to ensure the continued success and promotion of preparedness on practical levels.

ICE has already proven itself to be a "No Brainer" because it is easy to use anywhere and anytime by anyone and to effectively compliment safety and preparedness efforts already in place or planned. It was designed for this specific purpose and is continually supported by experienced safety professionals. 

There is no substitute for personal participation in the act of preparing for emergencies and using a multi-tiered ICE approach that focuses on redundancy and not simply any niche product or idea has been proven over time.  

We've moved the discussion to the ICE4SAFETY Blog www.ice4safety.blogspot.com so the public can comment if need be before the contest ends.

Added 1-27-11:  The New ICE Website is online and we appreciate your patience as  many new features come up on the site as of 1-27-11 including a free QR code generator being followed up with online emergency forms filling.