Empowering Safety: New Cards Can Help First Responders Care for Kids in Emergencies
In the midst of a traumatic car accident, precious time can be lost when first responders struggle to gather vital information about children involved.
To bridge this gap, Arizona public safety officials are introducing Emergency Pediatric Information Cards, or E.P.I.C., a simple yet powerful tool designed to ensure swift and appropriate care for young passengers in emergencies.
These bright yellow adhesive cards are intended to be affixed to the back of a child‘s car seat or anywhere visible to first responders.
"There are times when parents or guardians may be incapacitated due to serious injuries," said Sergeant Eric Andrews of the Arizona Department of Public Safety. "These cards give us crucial information about the child, allowing us to communicate with them effectively and alleviate their fear during a stressful situation."
Filling out an E.P.I.C. card is quick and easy, and while participation is voluntary, Sergeant Andrews emphasizes the immense value of knowing a child’s name alone.
“Just knowing their name is a huge part of putting them at ease,” said Andrews. “It’s a big step in letting them know we are there to help and keep them safe.”
The cards prompt parents to provide essential information, including:
-
Name: The child’s full name
-
Birthdate: To help assess age-appropriate care
-
Address: Where the child resides
-
Allergies: Any known allergies to medications or substances
-
Emergency Contact Information: Names and phone numbers of individuals to be contacted
- Physician Contact Information: Name and contact information for the child’s primary care physician
Sergeant Andrews noted that many troopers already have the E.P.I.C. cards on hand and are actively distributing them during calls.
In a couple of months, the cards will be readily available for pickup at any DPS station and local ADOT facility.
The introduction of E.P.I.C. cards marks a significant step toward enhancing child safety during emergencies. By empowering parents to provide critical information at a moment’s notice, these cards can potentially make a profound difference in the lives of children and their families.
What information do E.P.I.C. cards contain, and how can this benefit first responders?
## Empowering Safety: New Cards Help First Responders Care for Kids
**Interviewer:** Welcome to the show. We’re here today to talk about a very important new initiative aimed at keeping children safer in emergencies. Joining us is Sergeant Eric Andrews, who spearheaded the development of these new cards. Sergeant Andrews, thanks for being here.
**Sergeant Andrews:** Thanks for having me.
**Interviewer:** Can you tell us a little about these Emergency Pediatric Information Cards, or as they’re called, E.P.I.C. cards?
**Sergeant Andrews:** Absolutely. These bright yellow cards are designed to be placed on the back of a child’s car seat. They’re small but packed with vital information that could make a real difference in an emergency.
**Interviewer:** What kind of information are we talking about here?
**Sergeant Andrews:** The cards include the child’s name, date of birth, any allergies, medical conditions, and even the names and contact information for emergency contacts. When first responders arrive at the scene, they can immediately access this critical information without having to search for it or wait for parents, who may be injured, to become coherent.
**Interviewer:** This idea sounds like it could save precious time in a crisis.
**Sergeant Andrews:** Exactly. Every second counts in an emergency situation, and these cards can help us provide the best possible care for a child right away.
**Interviewer:** Are these cards available to the public?
**Sergeant Andrews:** Yes, absolutely. We’re encouraging all parents and caregivers to obtain these cards and fill them out with their child’s information. They’re free and easily accessible through our website and local fire stations.
**Interviewer:** Sergeant Andrews, thank you for bringing this important initiative to our attention. This is something every parent should be aware of.
**Sergeant Andrews:** Thank you for having me. It’s our commitment to keep all members of our community safe, especially our most vulnerable ones.
**Interviewer:** Well said. For more information on obtaining your free E.P.I.C. card, please visit…
You can find further information on pediatric emergency resources for medical professionals, such as reference cards from the Emergency Medicine Residents’ Association (EMRA) [ [1](https://www.emra.org/be-involved/committees/pediatric-em-committee/peds-books-refcards-and-apps/)].
