Sometimes the solution to important challenges is right in front of us. We just have to look a little closer. In 2009, Governor Bob Riley awarded a grant to expand a program that helps seniors and others with serious medical conditions receive more effective care after a vehicular accident. Today, the Yellow Dot Program is operated by the Positive Maturity organization, and the Shelby County RSVP coordinator is Pamela Raines. The premise is very simple: You put a provided yellow decal on the back of your windshield, and inside your glove compartment you place a supplied form about your medical history. If you are involved in a serious accident, the first responder knows to get the information out of the glove compartment, and they will act on that information. As Pamela Raines says, “This is a lifesaving packet. If someone were to have a wreck and become unconscious, the yellow sticker lets emergency responders know that medical information is inside the car. ”
The Yellow Dot program is a free service provided to individuals of all ages, with an emphasis on senior citizens. When signing up (see contacts below), participants receive a Yellow Dot decal and a folder containing a form with the participant’s name, photo, and information about emergency contacts, personal physicians, medical conditions, recent surgeries, allergies, and medications. Having this information at the time of a crash helps medical personnel get in touch with emergency contacts and ensures that a person’s current medications and conditions are considered when treatments are administered for injuries.
Alabama’s Yellow Dot program is modeled after one that was initiated in Shelton, Connecticut, in 2002. While the program has continued to gain momentum over the years, COVID slowed communication down to a trickle. “COVID slowed us down, but now that things are getting back to normal we are ramping right back up,” says Raines.
This is where Ron Jefferson comes in. Jefferson, a longtime resident of Alabaster and a decorated veteran, is leading the volunteer efforts in Alabaster. He is speaking to groups, drumming up support, and communicating with anyone willing to listen. As he says, “The yellow dot helps emergency responders make quick decisions on how to help someone with any type of special medical condition, and I think that is really important.” He continues, “Take for example someone swerving on the road. It might seem like they are on drugs or texting, but it could also be a serious medical condition, and with the yellow decal on their car this would alert authorities to help.” Ron’s hope is to have packets available at fire and police stations in the future, and he is working to make that happen. But for now Ron says, ‘Just let me know, and I’ll get you a packet.” As Raines says, “The yellow dot program is near and dear to Ron’s heart, and we are so lucky he is involved.”
The Yellow Dot Program in four easy steps
1. Reach out to the contacts below, and order a packet. The packet has a yellow dot decal and a form to fill out listing your medical issues.
2. When you get the packet, follow the simple instructions.
3. Put the sticker on your car and the information in your glove compartment.
4. If you need help just ask.
CONTACT
Ron Jefferson, RSVP Volunteer: [email protected], (205) 516-2486.
Pamela Raines, RSVP Coordinator: [email protected], (205) 670-6570.