DeKalb Co. adopts Yellow Dot program - WAFF-TV: News, Weather and Sports for Huntsville, AL

DeKalb County has now become the 45th county in Alabama to adopt the Yellow Dot program - a program that will help first responders better help you if you are in an accident.

Sheriff Jimmy Harris said it was a program he began working on for the county last year, but the April, 2011 tornadoes put it on the back burner.

Now, he said he's pleased the program will help residents, especially the senior citizens.

State, county, and area city officials were at the sheriff's office Wednesday morning to announce the start of the program.

The sheriff's department as well as the police departments of Fort Payne, Rainsville, and Collinsville will be able to sign up people.

With a Yellow Dot sticker on the back of your vehicle, first responders know to look in your car for vital information, including medications you are on or are allergic to, medical history, and even family notification information.

Officials said immediate access of that information can be very beneficial.

"If you have an accident and we may can run your driver's license or your tag number, say if you're deceased or you are unable to tell us who your next of kin or who to contact, we've got that information in  your glove box now and we can go to them and call them," said Harris.

The program began in Etowah County.

Now in the Sand Mountain area, Marshall County is also participating, as well as Jackson County.

Jackson County Sheriff's Department was at Helton's Chapel Church in the rash community outside of Stevenson signing up people on Wednesday morning.

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