Victor Hazy has been thinking of ways to help prepare the community for emergencies ever since a series of crashes on Interstate 75 in January took 11 lives.
Insurance World, of which Hazy is president, recently started sponsoring “In Case of Emergency” key tags, which are plastic tags that attach to key rings.
I.C.E. is written on the front of the tags to alert police of emergency contact numbers on the back in case a person’s phone is destroyed or missing in an accident.
Hazy said the I-75 crashes encouraged him to sponsor the key tags, which are free.
“Everyone should have them,” he said. “If you get hurt or are in an accident, police can see your wallet but won’t know who to call if your phone is crushed.”
Tom Force, CEO of I.C.E. Keytags, said Hazy is the only one sponsoring the key tags in North Florida.
People can also download a free EMS information form from the I.C.E. Keytag website. The form, which is kept in a vehicle’s glove compartment, provides medical information to rescue workers, such as medical conditions, allergies, recent surgeries and medications.
University Police officer Hank Spurlin said he thinks the I.C.E. key tag would need a big campaign to succeed.
“The first thing I do is look for a cellphone and dial the last number called or look for ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad,’” he said. “I wouldn’t think to look at the person’s keys.”
Muri Flores, an 18-year-old wildlife ecology and conservation freshman, said she would consider getting an I.C.E. key tag.
“It’s a good idea because a lot of people keep their emergency numbers in their phones, but their phones can get crushed or lost,” she said. “
