Hamilton County Health Department promotes Yellow DOT program

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Hamilton County Health Department is providing emergency care as a part of the Yellow DOT program. 

 “In 2022 there were over 5.9 estimated 5.9 million crashes, estimated with over 45,000 deaths that occurred that year and about 2.4 million injuries that occurred,” said Jake Ballard, Hamilton County Health Department. 

 The Yellow DOT Program is a statewide medical contact form that is placed in the glove compartment and is  used by first responders in the case of an emergency. 

 Ballard explains why the yellow dot program matters. 

 “ It is going to be really important for individuals that have IDD, individual intellectual or developmental disabilities, as well as an older population. Elder adults are going to be really good to have it. You are going to have one of these for each person in the car, in the glove box, so in the event of a wreck, whoever’s in the car at the time will have their own information on hand for EMS or first responders to use,” said Ballard. 

 As apart of the Yellow DOT Program folks will be able to complete  information that consists of physician contact,recent surgeries, hospital preferences, current medications and more 

 Skylar Philips with the Chattanooga Fire Department says the Yellow DOT Program will provide rapid response to individuals. 

 “If you have an individual in your family with an invisible disability, or something of that nature, and you are unable to communicate with us for whatever reason, now we can look in there, we see, we know that something is going on,” said Phillips.”We look in there and we are able to treat the patient more specifically for  whatever that disability may be.”

And Philips believes this program is important to saving a life. 

“It is crucial. It is 100% when you’re talking about,  the time it takes somebody to to bleed out, for example, or  the time it takes somebody to who’s having a seizure, or whatever, time is of the essence. It is of the utmost importance. As far as EMS is concerned.” Phillips concluded.