1. What is ICE?

ICE is an abbreviation for In Case of Emergency.

  2. What is ICEcare?

ICEcare is a mobile emergency preparedness solution for the twenty-first century that provides you, your family, friends and co-workers the tools you need in preparing for, to survive and recover from an emergency or disaster. ICEcare is available for most popular smartphones in-use today.

  3. What is emergency preparedness?

The planning, exercising and education necessary to achieve a state of readiness for disasters and emergencies. The objective of emergency preparedness is to simplify decision making during emergencies. Over the years, the combined efforts of federal, state and local government officials, as well as thousands of volunteers and first responders (such as police, firefighters, medical response personnel and hospital staff), corporations and NPOs have produced comprehensive emergency preparedness programs that assure the adequate protection of an individual or the public in the event of an emergency or disaster. The emergency preparedness process incorporates the means to rapidly identify, evaluate and react to a wide spectrum of emergency conditions. Emergency plans are dynamic and should be routinely reviewed and updated to reflect an ever changing environment. Mobile phones offer a unique opportunity to have an emergency preparedness tool kit, such as ICEcare, in the palm of your hand.

  4. My emergency contacts are already defined by ICE in my cell phone address book.

Reference for ICE contact in your mobile phone address book seemed like a good idea but it has many severe limitations. First Responders usually do not have the time to call to report an emergency. If they make a call, then their top priority is to learn about any allergies you may have or medications you may be taking at that time. ICEcare software eliminates the need for that call and enables them to treat you right away. For more information, check: "ICE" debunked.

  5. What are the limitations in using ICE reference on my cell phone address book?

During an emergency, every second counts. ICE reference on cell phone address book requires the Paramedic to call your emergency contact and that is a loss of valuable time that could have been utilized in treating you. Furthermore, there are many reasons why calling ICE contact may not be a good idea. For instance:

• Your phone may be dead due to the impact caused by the accident
  Note: ICEcare software has two additional options to cover this case
  
• You may be out of network coverage area and your call may not go through
  Note: With ICEcare software, your critical data is resident on the device at all times
  
• Your contact may be on another call and not realize that you are in emergency
  If they see your caller ID, they will call you back but that is loss of critical timing
  
• Say, the call goes through. A bad phone connection can prevent a clear communication.
  Different accents may further hamper clear communication and cause loss of time.
  
• Say, the call is good. What if the emergency contact gets shocked hearing this news?
  

  6. Why is my ICEcare profile stored on my mobile phone?

ICEcare profile on your mobile phone retains your critical data for instantaneous access, regardless of network coverage.

  7. Why should I retain my ICEcare profile on ICEcare.net?

There are few reasons for retaining your ICEcare profile on ICEcare.net:

• ICEcare is the only mobile emergency preparedness platform that provides critical emergency information to first responders and hospital staff even if your mobile phone is damaged, inoperable or locked. In the event your phone is inoperable, the ICEcare sticker, included with your ICEcare.net services, has a unique number that will permit first responders to get your critical health information right away without disclosing your privacy. They also have the option to connect with your emergency contacts without from disclosing their identity or their phone numbers via ICEcare.net.
  
• When you buy a new phone, if you have an ICEcare profile on ICEcare.net, you can download your ICEcare profile to the new phone instantly, no need to retype all your information into the new device.
  
• If your mobile phone is lost or stolen, you can erase your ICEcare profile from your mobile phone from any internet enabled device.
• ICEcare.net includes opt-in priviledged source for additional information to help you be prepared and be current.

  8. Where can I get my ICEcare sticker?

One ICEcare Sticker is included with your acquisition of ICEcare.net Service. ICEcare family Plan includes multiple stickers, again to allow for one sticker per user.

Additionally, ICEcare Stickers can be acquired from within the ICEcare software on your mobile phone, under the Tools tab | Acessories Container. They may also be acquired from within ICEcare.net, under My Tools tab -- ICEcare Sticker subtab -- Acquire Sticker Container.

  9. Where can I get my ICEcare Card for my wallet?

The ICEcare Card can be acquired from ICEcare.net.

  10. What do I do to make the ICEcare sticker active once I have attached it to my phone?

Login to your ICEcare.net profile and go to My Tools tab -- ICEcare Sticker subtab -- Apply Sticker Container.

  11. Do I need a new ICEcare sticker when I acquire a new mobile phone?

Yes. The ICEcare Sticker is not designed to be removed from your mobile phone.

  12. How can I help my community prepare?

There are many ways you can help your community. You can help strengthen your neighborhood, state and nation through volunteerism and services. Volunteering to support your first responders during these tough economic times is one good way to help your community. Another way to help is to learn new skills that can help you and your family be prepared for all types of emergencies, like learning CPR.

  13. How can I prepare my family for a disaster?

Emergency events can occur without warning. Planning for any emergency requires considering all likely scenarios. In case if you are able to stay at home, electricity, water, heat, air conditioning, telephone service and transportation could be disrupted or lost for a considerable amount of time. It is important to develop a preparedness plan that includes:

• An emergency preparedness kit
  
• At least two emergency meeting places. Pick one right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, such as fire. Pick one other place outside your neighborhood in case you are told to evacuate or can’t return home.
  
• An emergency communications plan. Choose an out-of-town person to be your contact point for family members to call if you are separated. Make sure everyone has contact information including phone numbers and e-mail.
  
• Information about school and workplace emergency plans.
  

Note: ICEcare solution provides tools you need to define, complete and share your preparedness plan with members of your family -- one you all can retain on your mobile phone or iPod Touch for all time access.

  14. What should be in an Emergency Preparedness Kit?

An emergency preparedness kit can be organized for any emergency. Keep the items that you would most likely need at home in one easy-to-carry container such as a trash can, plastic storage container, camping backpack or duffel bag. Store it in a convenient place, and put a smaller version in your car. Keep items in airtight plastic bags. Remember to change stored water and rotate food supplies and medications every six months. Check the supplies and re-think your needs every year. Consult your physician or pharmacist about storing prescription medications and maintain a list of your prescription needs.

Suggested Checklist:

Water (recommended amount is one gallon per person per day) Non-perishable food First aid supplies Medication Battery-powered radio and batteries Flashlight Duct tape Cash/traveler's checks Clothing Bedding Tools Toiletry items Special needs Important documents Pet supplies

  15. What if there is a situation that is not covered by the application (ICEcare)?

ICEcare tries to cover most common emergency situations that can threaten your health or your life. Please contact us with your suggestions for enhancements.

  16. Was ICEcare a no cost solution?

Yes, during its course of development, ICEcare was available at no charge. ICEcare is one of the most comprehensive emergency preparedness solutions available today and we intend to manage its evolution with available resources effectively. The price change has been instituted to help us set right expectations for all our users: We will provide a dependable solution with total security for privacy; to continue its evolvution and deliver services that will help our users be educated and informed about planning for preparedness.

We encourage user participation -- please share your thoughts on what we can do to improve. Please network with us on Facebook or feel free to drop us a line.

  17. Is my access to ICEcare.net secure?

Yes, your access to ICEcare.net is enabled through industry standard secure socket layers, or SSL. You would have secure access (https) to ICEcare.net. In one condition: if the user elects to reference an image or content from other source on the net within their home emergency plan, then the browser will claim lack of secure content, which is natural!

  18. What mobile platforms are supported?

ICEcare is supported on Apple iOS, Google Android, Microsoft Phone7 and HP WebOS. At this time, Microsoft Phone7 and HP WebOS clients do not support Push Notifications; i.e, Users will not be able to remotely secure ICEcare on their mobile devices (as they can with Apple iOS and Google Android devices).

  19. What about ICEcare Support for BlackBerry?

ICEcare provided support for older versions of BlackBerry devices. Support for new BlackBerry devices is in development and will be available soon.

  20. I have seen ICEcare on other mobile platforms as well. How is that supported?

Earlier, ICEcare was supported on other mobile platforms, which has been discontinued as the platform vendors have discontinued their support. This includes: Windows Mobile 5.X/6.X, Palm Garnett, Symbian Series 60 Third Edition, UIQ Series and Java Mobile. If you are using ICEcare on any of those platforms, then you may continue to do so, but for obvious reasons, ICEcare support those platforms has been discontinued.