Emergency Programs

The File of Life – A Personal Medical History In An Emergency

The File of Life is an in-home stored personal medical history for use by emergency responders during a medical crisis at your home. It is a readily identified red plastic magnetized “pocket” that attaches to your refrigerator and is easily recognized by emergency responders during an emergency. This file will contain, after being completed by you, your family’s personal medical history, including prescription drugs, allergies, and other critical and pertinent medical information which may very well be life-saving in an emergency.

Get a File of Life Pocket

The File of Life pockets are available through either the Senior Services Office or Emergency Management Office at the Bethlehem Town Hall, 445 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY 12054, or by calling 518-439-4955.

National Grid Company - Life Support / Critical Care Program

The Life Support / Critical Care Program provides a listing of persons who would be at risk during extended power outages or evacuations due to the fact that they require the use of electric life-sustaining equipment.

The Life Support / Critical Care Program is a program available to National Grid customers who submit written documentation from their physician confirming that they or another member of the household requires electrically-operated, life-sustaining medical equipment to maintain life. Examples of such life support medical equipment are:
  • Apnea monitors
  • Kidney dialysis devices
  • Continuous ventilation devices
  • Suction/aspiration equipment

Enrollment

Once National Grid receives written medical certification from the physician, the company will conduct a home visit to verify the medical status and contact information. Once completed, National Grid will then take steps within its system to appropriately identify the customer’s meter, the Customer Services System database, and the company’s Storm Board Operations and Regional Control Operations database, called NewLife. All Life Support customers are notified on a regular basis to verify correct program information and continued need.

For information and/or enrollment in the National Grid Life Support program, please call 1-800-932-0301.

Special Needs Registry Program

The Albany County Special Needs Registry Program is designed to assist the special needs community during an emergency that requires an evacuation within Albany County. Registrants must be physically unable to evacuate themselves from their residence without assistance. Applicant information will be entered into the County's E-911 system for retrieval during an emergency.