Medical `Vial for Life’ to aid in emergencies

DOVER-FOXCROFT — A new program to aid medical and emergency personnel is being instituted in the Dover-Foxcroft area next week.

The “Vial for Life Program” asks residents to complete a form giving important medical information, place it in the vial provided and store it in a refrigerator freezer.

A red heart-shaped sticker placed on the outside of the freezer door will alert ambulance, hospital, police and fire personnel about the medical information inside in the vial.

Initiated by senior nursing students at the University of Maine, the program’s goal is to assist people who may be unable to speak for themselves during a crisis or to help family members who may be too distraught to remember vital information needed in an emergency.

Free Vials for Life will be available beginning March 28 at the following agencies and offices in Dover-Foxcroft: Community Health and Counseling Services, Summer Street; the YMCA on Park Street; the emergency department at Mayo Regional Hopsital; Penquis CAP, Sumner Street; Judkins’ Shop ‘n Save, North Street; Monument Square Texaco, 32 Monument Square; and the office of Dr. Lesley M. Fernow, 61 W. Main St., Dr. Richard B. Swett, 45 Dwelley Ave., and Dr. Daniel L. Steinke, 5 Winter St.