Got your yellow dot? Broward County leaders hope their residents do.
On Monday, the county launched its Yellow Dot program, which gives first responders better information about car accident victims. Program participants fill out a pamphlet that includes their blood types, severe medical conditions and doctors’ contact information. They leave that pamphlet in their glove boxes. Then, they put yellow dot stickers on their rear windshields to let medical personnel know the information is there.
Broward County Mayor Marty Kiar sponsored the program at the Broward County Commission. He said the program is personally important to him because it could help first responders save the lives of his wife and 6- and 3-year-old daughters in the event of a car accident.
"A first responder will see that yellow dot and they’ll know that they can go in my glove box, they can get that information and they can provide life-saving treatment to me and my family," Kiar said. He said his sponsorship decision was also influenced by conversations with first responders who said they needed more information to provide the best possible medical care to patients.
Kiar also emphasized that the pamphlet does not require information that could compromise individuals' identities or lead to identity theft.
Broward County and its cities are funding the first 200,000 Yellow Dot stickers. To find sticker pickup locations, go to www.broward.org/yellowdot.