Simsbury officials urge residents to keep a ‘File of Life’ on the fridge to speed emergency care

Rachel, the town’s community social worker, opened a public information session at the Simsbury Senior Center and urged residents to make emergency paperwork accessible, saying, “We have already put over 400 into the community” and that more were ordered for distribution at the senior center.

The File of Life is a bright, fridge‑mounted folder that lists medications, allergies, emergency contacts and hospital preferences. “Stick it on the refrigerator,” Rachel told attendees, adding that first responders are taught to look for the form and that keeping it updated — “use pencil” — helps crews avoid delays when a person cannot speak for themselves.

Officer Danny Ball, the department’s community resource officer, described what callers can expect when they dial 911. He said a local police dispatcher uses an emergency medical dispatch protocol — a short series of targeted questions on location, symptoms and past medical history — and may give pre‑arrival instructions such as CPR or bleeding control. “Spending 30 seconds to 60 seconds to gather all that information is actually super beneficial on what we send,” Officer Ball said.

Panelists said police often arrive first and are equipped to provide immediate care. “All of our police officers in Simsbury are trained medically and certified by the state of Connecticut to provide basic first aid,” Officer Ball said, noting patrol cars carry AEDs and medications to begin treatment until ambulance crews arrive.

Practical points for households included keeping the File of Life where it is visible and accessible, placing copies in a purse or wallet for travel, and considering a key box if a resident is at risk of falling and living alone. The panel contrasted the homeowner key box (a $10 code box available at hardware stores) with a Knox box, which is used by fire departments and not available to police or ambulance personnel.

Karen Stewart, representing the ambulance service, added that accurate medication lists, allergies and medical history are the three pieces of data paramedics most need. Panelists also reminded attendees that hospital preference listed on a form may be honored if time and patient condition allow, but trauma or time‑sensitive cases are taken to the closest appropriate trauma center.

The town’s program is supported by a donation from the Simsbury Grahamby Rotary; Rachel said extras are available at the Simsbury Senior Center for residents who need a File of Life kit.

The panel encouraged residents to talk with family members and primary‑care physicians about emergency preferences and to update their File of Life whenever medications or contacts change.