To improve the communication with the Authorities and emergency medical services, Safe Communities Portugal has developed an emergency identification card for tourists and foreign residents in Portugal, but that can be used by any national citizen.
The Emergency Card does not replace any official identification documents, but is intended to serve as an additional source of information that contains specific data such as medication, allergies, current illnesses as well as information about the Authorities of the citizens' countries of origin, whom it may be necessary to establish direct contact.
In collaboration with the National Republican Guard (GNR), the Public Security Police (PSP) and the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM), Safe Communities Portugal has responded to the needs of the foreign community in Portugal, making available in a single document personal and health data that may be useful to medical teams and Authorities in an emergency situation, such as a road accident or major catastrophes.
The document in English and Portuguese is available for download on the websites of Safe Communities Portugal www.safecommunitiesportugal.com, INEM and Security Forces, and will be promoted to foreign communities in Portugal and tourists through their respective embassies and through the Tourism Boards.
Interested citizens can download the card in pdf format from the pages of the, GNR, PSP, INEM and SCP. People just need to fill in the data they deem appropriate, cut and laminate the document so that it can always be in their possession. It can be updated any time instantly, and there are no costs or data privacy issues involved.
David Thomas President Safe Communities Portugal stated that “this idea arose from feed back received at our seminars and from discussion with emergency services during an ANPC exercise SCP participated in at Castelo Branco earlier this year.
It was reported to us that in the event of an accident, vital information such as the victim: allergies and medication often took first responders some time to establish, particularly among foreigners.
We therefore approached INEM national headquarters and a focus group meeting was held between SCP and operational staff from the INEM, GNR and PSP in Lisbon and work started to create this card. The result reflects the operational needs of those emergency teams attending the scenes of accidents etc.” He added “I encourage everyone to use this card and carry it with them at all times”. It could be a life saver!”
This will benefit people particularly foreign residents and tourists and we are very grateful to the emergency services in embracing this idea and working together to bring this to fruition.
