E.C.E. ON THE ORIHUELA COSTA – VECINOS COLABORANDO – ORIHUELA COSTA (NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH)

     In the aftermath of the terror attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York, the metro and bus systems in London and no doubt the train in Madrid, it was very difficult for the emergency services to ascertain the identity of those who had unfortunately lost their lives or been seriously injured. By not being able to do this, they were unable to contact the relatives of these people as quickly as possible. 

Those in the emergency services in America and later the United Kingdom put some thought to this problem and concluded that in these days most people carried mobile phones. It would be made easier if everyone who wished to do so included in the address list on their phone, the telephone number of the person who they wished to be contacted should they unfortunately receive injuries from which they died, or were unable to speak due to being unconscious of having serious facial injuries. It was recommended that as many people as was possible put these detail in the address list under the initials I.C.E. ( In case of Emergency) so that if a person was found in such a condition, the emergency services would quickly be able to inform a relative or friend. This system has been recommended to be used in other countries in Northern Europe and would be a benefit to the emergency services in our area. 

In  Spain, we need to have the details entered in the address list as E.C.E. (En Caso de Emergencia) AS WELL as I.C.E. and we, Vecinos Colaborando of the Orihuela Costa ask that all do this and inform relatives and friends as well.

The Officers of the Guardia Civil, Policia Judicial (Plain Clothes Branch) and Policia Local in our area are aware of this advice and should such a person be found in such a condition, will look for details on a mobile phone if one is found. This could make the difference to persons being informed more rapidly and relative’s minds being put at rest more quickly.

 We hope that by starting the scheme on the Orihuela Costa it will quickly spread to other areas and that the emergency services in those areas will also take it on board.