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Yellow Dot Program Aimed at Saving
Older People in Automobiles Launched in Conn.
Test Program for Nation by Shelton's Police, Senior Center and
People's Bank
May
17, 2002 -- Senior citizens in Shelton, Conn., are the first in the
nation to sport yellow dots on their car windshields that can help
save their lives in the event of an automobile accident or other
medical emergency.
The
"Yellow Dot" program was launched yesterday with a ceremony at the
Shelton Senior Center. Through the "Yellow Dot" program, emergency
services personnel are alerted to important information about the
seniors in the car's glove compartment.
Shelton's Mayor Mark Lauretti, Police Chief Robert Voccola, Fire Chief
John Millo and People's Bank's Master's Program Coordinator Angela
DeLeon, were joined by state Atty. General Richard Blumenthal during
this morning's program launch.
"This
is truly an historic event in helping people who are in the throes of
life-threatening emergencies," said Blumenthal. "The leaders here in
Shelton -- Mayor, Chief Voccola, Chief Millo and Angela DeLeon and
People's Bank -- are setting an example for the entire nation."
The
"Yellow Dot" program was created to help senior citizens communicate
during an automobile accident, when they might not be able to
communicate for themselves. Participants receive a yellow dot sticker
to place on their windshield alerting emergency services personnel to
look for the corresponding yellow folder in the glove compartment. The
folder contains current medical information, a photo, hospital
preferences and contact numbers. The program is sponsored through the
Triad collaborative between Shelton Police department, Shelton Senior
Center and People's Bank.
"This
is the first program of its kind here in Connecticut and, we believe,
the nation. This program can help save seniors' lives by improving
communication at a time when seniors may not be able to communicate
themselves," said DeLeon, who works collaboratively throughout
Connecticut with public safety officials and senior citizen
advocates/resources to promote safety and awareness for senior
citizens.
Currently, one out of eight people in the United States is over age
65; by 2020 that number will double, according to DeLeon. "This
program will help speed emergency response time by making immediately
available information necessary to treat accident victims," she said.
People's (peoples.com) is a diversified financial services company
providing commercial, consumer, insurance and investment services.
Founded in 1842, it is the largest state-chartered bank in Connecticut
with managed assets of $13 billion, 150 branches and more than 220
ATMs. People's is a leader in consumer and commercial banking,
residential lending, insurance sales, supermarket banking and is the
nation's 15th-largest issuer of MasterCard and Visa credit cards.
People's subsidiaries offer brokerage services, asset management,
equipment financing and leasing, and insurance services.
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