This discussion is about the standardization of the methodology for using ICE in electronic devices that recognize numerals more effectively than language based script to denote emergency information. The non language dependent, more effective emergency info system for digital devices (e.g. phones) is E.123.
Some articles you may read about ICE will refer to employing the ”ICE Prefix” method of ICEhome, ICEDad, ICEMom etc. Using the standardized E.123 method can increase the likelihood of the emergency contact – or “next of kin” information being presented first on any display list of a digital device – this can be critical in an emergency situation. Please read below about the joint UN – ICE4SAFETY effort and a better way to program electronic devices with ICE and E.123
This is the question you might ask yourself when considering how to program “ICE” into your phone: “Would all the people I might encounter in an emergency situation have sufficient training or awareness about the use of ICE (or any other safety device you might utilize) in my cell phone to intuitively access my emergency contact list under the letter “I”?
If your answer is NO or NOT SURE then consider using the E.123 Non Language Dependent Method to eliminate this concern – after all you should become familiar with the local safety programs used by emergency services around your area or where you travel. If you are confident that ICEMom or ICEDad will work…..it is your decision. Thankfully, we still have that freedom to choose. If your phone device allows, you might also copy the same emergency contact information into this area of your contact list using “ICE” – some phones have dedicated locations for “Emergency Contact” information – be sure to use that feature as well.
ITU standard assists rescue workers to notify victim’s next of kin
Global mobile phone directory code for use in emergencies
Geneva, 23 July 2008—
Emergency workers searching for next-of-kin contact information for an injured person now have a globally recognized way of doing so, thanks to a new standard from ITU.
By simply prefixing the Arabic Numerals 01, 02, 03, and so on to a nominated contact, such as “01father”, “02wife” or “03husband” written in any script in the mobile telephone directory, will help emergency workers in any part of the world identify contacts in order of priority and notify them.ITU will work with non-profit organization ICE4SAFETY to promote this new way of identifying an emergency contact in a mobile handset’s directory.”In Case of Emergency” — or ICE — has emerged in some English-speaking countries encouraging people to list emergency contact numbers in their mobile phone’s directory in the form of “ICE father”, for example, or “ICE doctor”. However, this precludes people who do not use or recognize the Roman script from readily identifying what the term “ICE” represents.
ITU members expressed the need to identify emergency contacts independent of language or script.The new standard, which is a clause to ITU-T Recommendation E.123, internationalizes the ICE concept and recommends the use of Arabic numerals (0 to 9) to denote emergency contact numbers in a handset’s directory. It exploits the fact that even though written scripts differ around the world these digits are universally recognized, making it usable by anyone regardless of language or script.Malcolm Johnson, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, said, “Emergency telecommunications is a top priority for ITU. This simple addition to a person’s next-of-kin or nominated contact details has the potential to greatly reduce stress for overworked emergency workers around the world. Anything that can be done to reduce the workload of these remarkably brave people and assist in getting injured people the right care and attention is commendable.
We will work tirelessly with ICE4SAFETY and other agencies to promote this concept.”"We have seen the tremendous benefit of the ICE concept to the emergency services community,” said Mark Balduzzi, Developer of ICE4SAFETY. “ITU’s initiative to internationalize ICE takes the concept one step further, and we wholeheartedly support this.”ITU-T Recommendation E.123, or the notation for national and international telephone numbers, defines a standard way of writing telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, and web addresses. ICE4SAFETY has modified its symbol by incorporating the reference E.123. For more information on ICE4SAFETY, visit the organization’s website at www.ice4safety.com
Using E.123 Method