ICE your cell phone safely

Most are unaware that if they were in an accident, first responders are not allowed to contact anyone listed in their cellular phone, at least not without I.C.E.

According to Oak Creek Police's Community Resource Bureau, the law states that no agency can give out personal information without consent. Even in emergency situations, first responders can't breach the privacy act. However, when I.C.E. is used it is considered consent.

I.C.E. is the acronym for In Case of Emergency. By placing the letters ICE in front of contact names, first responders will be able to contact those individuals if you were ever in a serious accident. For those desiring more than one I.C.E. contact, they can put in a number after the letters "Ice." For instance, to have your mom be the first I.C.E. contact, just type in the letters "Ice," then the number 1 in front of her contact name in your phone. That is all one has to do.

Although some who were polled at MATC's Oak Creek Campus already knew about I.C.E, others did not. Those who did know include Vince Cole (pictured above) and Laura Vazquez (chose to be not pictured). Vazquez stated that her phone had a feature that allowed her to add I.C.E to her contacts.

Jackie Spidell (pictured above alone), Katelyn Palok and Breana Kloppenburg (pictured together above) were not aware of the feature.

Palok and Kloppenburg both agreed it was a good idea. Kloppenburg stated, "It makes it easier for (first responders) to know who to contact." However, Kloppenburg added, "People should knew about it first."

Spidell had a different response. "It's stupid," she said, "because not everyone is aware. If it says 'home' or 'mom,' they should be able to call."