In collaboration with the GNR and PSP police forces and with the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM), Safe Communities Portugal (SCP) has responded to the needs of the foreign community in Portugal by making available in a single document, personal and health data that may be useful to medical teams and authorities in an emergency situation, such as a road accident or major catastrophes.
The Emergency Card does not replace official identification documents, but is intended to serve as an additional source of information that contains specific data such as medication, allergies, and current illnesses, as well as information about the authorities of the citizens’ countries of origin, with whom it may be necessary to establish direct contact.
The document in English and Portuguese is avail-able for download on:www.
safecommunitiesportugal
.com (home page red tab - EMERGENCY ID CARD DOWNLOAD), INEM and Security Forces, and will be promoted to foreign communities in Portugal and tourists through their respective embassies and through the Tourism Boards.
Interested citizens can download the card in pdf format from the pages of the GNR, PSP, INEM and SCP. Holders need only to fill in the data they deem appropriate, and cut and laminate the document so that it can always be in their possession.
It can be updated at any time instantly, and there are no costs or data privacy issues involved.
David Thomas, President of Safe Communities Portugal, stated that “this idea arose from feedback received at our seminars and from discussion with emergency services during an ANPC exercise that SCP participated in at Castelo Branco earlier this year.
“It was reported to us that in the event of an accident, vital information on the victim, such as allergies and medication, often took first responders some time to establish, particularly among foreigners.
“We therefore approached the INEM national headquarters and a focus group meeting was held between SCP and operational staff from the INEM, GNR and PSP in Lisbon and work started to create this card. The result reflects the operational needs of those emergency teams attending the scenes of accidents etc.”
He added: “I encourage everyone to use this card and carry it with them at all times. It could be a life saver!”