Yellow Dot program to protect Seneca seniors

Seneca County Sheriff Jack Stenberg in conjunction with the Seneca County Office of the Aging is launching the Yellow Dot program, which is designed to help crash victims and especially senior citizens in the event they are injured in an auto accident or experience a life threatening event at home. The Yellow Dot program in place in several states is being brought to Seneca County to help save lives in the time of emergency.“The Yellow Dot program alerts emergency responders to an auto accident or life threatening event to know what medical conditions the crash victim or senior may have and which medications he or she may be taking,” according to Sheriff Stenberg. “This new program will allow emergency responders to quickly assess what medical treatment is the safest and most suited to help the injured person.” The Yellow Dot program is designed to help crash victims, especially seniors, communicate with rescuers during the crucial “golden hour,” the first 60 minutes after a serious crash that can make the difference between life and death for the critically injured.People who sign up for the program affix a highly visible Yellow Dot to the rear windshield of their car, or in a window closest to their home entry door. An accompanying data form is completed by the senior and either placed in the vehicle glove box or taped on the inside of their refrigerator in the home in a bright yellow envelope identified as the Yellow Dot Program. First responders quickly spot the Yellow Dot and know to look for an information packet either in their vehicle glove box if at an auto accident or taped on the inside of refrigerator if the event occurs at home. All first responder organizations in Seneca County have been made aware of the start of this new program and will be on the lookout for the Yellow Dot.Yellow Dot application packets and stickers are available at the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, 6150 State Route 96, Romulus, New York 14541 or by calling the Sheriff’s Office at 315-220-3220, or by calling or stopping in at the Seneca County Office of the Aging, located at the Seneca County Office Building, One DiPronio Drive, Waterloo, New York, 315-539-1766.Every marked Sheriff’s patrols car will have Yellow Dot application packets available for distribution.