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Motor vehicle crashes are a public health crisis both locally and nationally.
Across the United States, in the last three years, we have consistently experienced record-breaking increases in roadway deaths. Vermont has also experienced an increase in fatal crashes during the last few years. The people who are most at risk for injury and death on our roads are people who walk, bike, or roll and older people.
However, motor vehicle crashes, injuries and deaths are preventable. There are proven strategies that can help prevent these injuries and deaths. Whether you are a driver, passenger, cyclist, or pedestrian, you can take steps to keep yourself and your loved ones safe on our roads.
Vermont's Yellow Dot Program: Emergency Information when it counts!
During an emergency on the road or at home, time can be critical. The Yellow Dot Program is designed to help first responders quickly access important medical information, which can lead to fast and accurate treatment for you and your family. Vermont’s Yellow Dot Program is a valuable tool in making this possible.
Who can use this program?
Families & Individuals
Individuals 55 years old or older
Anyone with a medical condition
Community partners
First Responder organizations (EMS, Fire, Law Enforcement)
Community organizations who work with older Vermonters and their families
Health care providers and case managers
How it works
This free program lets first responders (EMS, Fire, Law Enforcement) access critical medical information after a vehicle crash or during medical emergency at home. Placing a Yellow Dot decal on the window of the car and the front door of the home, acts as a “medical alert” for first responders during an emergency.
The program works in a few easy steps:
- Order Yellow Dot Kits today
- Review the program information sheet
- Complete the Yellow Dot Emergency Medical Information Forms and put the forms into the provided yellow envelopes.
- Place the yellow envelopes in the glovebox of the car, and on the refrigerator/freezer door at home.
- Place the Yellow Dot decals on the drivers rear side window of the car and on the most used door of the home or in a visible place for first responders.
- Review and update the emergency forms regularly as your medical information changes. Need a new form?
First Responders (EMS, Fire, Law Enforcement)
The goal of the Yellow Dot Program is to provide first responders with a patients critical medical information that is easy to access during an emergency call. Participants who have a Yellow Dot decal placed on their car or their home door, should have a yellow envelope kit located in the glovebox of their car or on the refrigerator/freezer door in their home. This envelope kit will contain medical information that may help responders during an emergency.
Health Care Providers
The Yellow Dot Program works best as a community effort. Health care providers (including primary care providers, physicians, human services or care case managers, home health clinicians and nurses) can help play their part in raising awareness and educating the community and their patients about the Yellow Dot program.
If you are a provider, please talk to patients about the benefits of having important medical information readily accessible in the event of an emergency, and if the Yellow Dot program would help them. Assist with completing the form or reviewing and updating information such as medication lists and medical conditions.
Bring the Yellow Dot program to your community organization
Members of community organizations, first responder organizations or health care providers can all help raise awareness and educate the community about this program. Consider offering the Yellow Dot program kits at your next open house or community event.
Resources
Emergency Medical Information Form
For more information, or if you have questions, contact andrea.spinale@vermont.gov to learn more.
