Summa Western Reserve and Hudson Students Partner with Hudson EMS Fund to Foster “Cool” Safety Outreach

Summa Western Reserve Hospital, Hudson High School National Honor Society students and the EMS Outreach Fund of Hudson recently teamed up to show just how “cool” safety can be by distributing “Fridge MedPaks” to Hudson residents. The safety aid is kept in the refrigerator to store vital medical information should police, fire and EMS personnel arrive during an emergency. More than 200 Hudson High School National Honor Society students helped coordinate and distribute 6,000 of the MedPaks in April alone to spread awareness with the EMS Outreach Fund of Hudson. Summa Western Reserve Hospital donated the Fridge MedPak bags and instruction cards and information forms as well as bright neon t-shirts for students to wear for safety while handing materials out in area neighborhoods after school.

“I am so proud that we are able to provide Hudson citizens with this valuable emergency resource that our EMS team members can utilize,” says Heidi Schweighoefer, President of the EMS Outreach of Hudson Committee. “Since contents stored inside a refrigerator often withstand fire damage, we developed the MedPaks as an enduring resource for first responders to quickly locate in the event of an emergency. This is a great aid to distribute and we couldn't have done it without the help of these wonderful students or Summa Western Reserve Hospital.”

Those who receive the MedPaks can store vital information such as names of those within the household, social security numbers, heights and weights, hair and eye colors, blood types, identifying physical markings, vaccination information, allergy information, medications or prescription information, primary care physician contact information and the number of people and pets living within the residence who may need help. The household’s preferred hospital to receive care or emergency treatment at can also be noted as well as attorney and insurance information. Other family or friend contact information can also be stored via the Fridge MedPak so that loved ones can also be reached more efficiently.

“Our first responders are the essential life line in getting someone the care they need in any emergency situation. And our community’s awareness and aid of their actions through this initiative is something we believe in,” says Dr. Robert Kent, President and CEO, Summa Western Reserve Hospital. “Working with these amazing students and the remarkably dedicated team from the EMS Outreach of Hudson Committee enables us to enhance our efforts to care for residents who rely on our truly courageous police, fire and EMS crews.”

Sponsored by the EMS Outreach Fund of Hudson, supported by the Hudson Community Foundation and in sponsorship with Summa Western Reserve Hospital and the Hudson High School National Honor Society, the goal of the collaboration is to distribute the safety aid to every residence in Hudson. Nearly 3000 more MedPaks are currently in place for further distribution and will also be available at various community events throughout Hudson in the coming months.