Sheriff Bellotti: 'Files of Life Save Lives'

Norfolk County Sheriff Michael G. Bellotti wants senior citizens throughout the county to take advantage of his File of Life program, which provides potentially life-saving information to medical personnel in the event of an emergency.

The “File of Life” folders are available free-of-charge by calling the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office at 781-751-3516.

 “If a person is ill or hurt and is unable to communicate with an ambulance crew, the File of Life folder can save his or her life by providing important information about medical conditions and which prescription medications a person takes,” Sheriff Bellotti said.

Sheriff Bellotti added that local emergency medical personnel have repeatedly said that the File of Life folders are extremely helpful, allowing them to treat a patient more quickly and with more certainty.

 “We have distributed tens of thousands of the Files of Life to the public since I took office, and we want to make sure that anyone who wants one is able to obtain it.”

Recipients fill out the File of Life card with all the pertinent medical information and then place it inside its bright red vinyl folder. The magnetized folder is then hung on a refrigerator or some other highly visible place so that medical workers can easily notice it when the come in to a home to attend to a person during an emergency.

A much smaller version, designed to fit inside a wallet, is also available so that senior citizens may feel the same protection when they are outside their homes.

Sheriff Bellotti distributes the “File of Life” folders through his Triad program, which links seniors with their local police and fire departments and councils on aging in order to keep them aware of important issues and programs available to them. People wishing to learn more about Triad may also call 781-751-3516.