MILWAUKEE — Eighty-five percent of calls the Milwaukee Fire Department responds to are medical. The department is working to get lifesaving information into more homes by asking neighbors to fill out a File of Life.
"It's a piece of paper that is folded up inside a plastic package that has a magnet on the back," said Lt. Michael Ball.
Ball said it's a simple concept that saves lives.
'Whenever we go on a medical call we're asking for their history, we're asking for a list of their medications, any allergies so that we can more appropriately treat them," said Ball.
Firefighter Adrian Roberson said File of Life also saves time.
"A lot of patients that we deal with have 15 or more medications that they're taking. A lot of times I've been on many calls where someone's having a seizure or they're unconscious and it's so important for them to have this for us when we get there," said Roberson.
Aubrey Finch had never heard of a File of Life until firefighters knocked on his door.
"It's very helpful. We have a lot of kids, and my kids are asthmatic as well, so be it that I know what they take and what I take it's a lot easier for you guys to know as well," said Finch.
Bill Woods plans to fill one out for his father, who is prone to seizures.
'Whenever we go on a medical call we're asking for their history, we're asking for a list of their medications, any allergies so that we can more appropriately treat them." — Lt. Michael Ball
"It's a very good idea," said Woods. "Let's put this right on the refrigerator and they can see it and they can just come right in and they don't have to call anybody. They already know everything," said Woods.
You can list allergies, medications and chronic problems on the file. Contact your fire department for a File of Life or call community relations at 414-286-5285.
If you need a free smoke alarm, call 414-286-8980.
