Emergency information at home

Why information is gathered in advance

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) published a joint policy statement in Pediatrics in 2023. Its abstract states that children with chronic medical conditions rely on complex management plans and are at increased risk of suboptimal outcomes in emergency situations. It describes the emergency information form, or EIF, as a medical summary that gives physicians and other members of the health care team rapid access to critical information so that optimal emergency care can be provided.^[1]

The AAP's own page explains that the two organisations developed the EIF as a tool to transfer critical information about children with special health care needs. It says families can make sure emergency responders and medical personnel have access to a child's critical health information during a disaster by completing the form and keeping a copy in the family's go-kit and disaster preparedness kit. This guidance was written for children with special health care needs and is attributed here to the AAP, not offered as medical advice.^[2]

What the policy statement covers

According to the abstract, the 2023 statement describes an updated approach to emergency information forms and the information they contain. It reviews the essential common data elements, discusses integration with electronic health records, and proposes broadening the rapid availability and use of health data for all children and youth. It suggests that a wider approach to data accessibility could benefit all children receiving emergency care and help emergency preparedness during disaster management.^[1]

Only the abstract of the statement was read for this page, not the full text. The detailed list of data elements is therefore not reproduced here, and readers who want it should consult the statement in Pediatrics or the emergency information form published by the AAP and ACEP. The AAP notes that the statement was published at the same time in Pediatrics and in Annals of Emergency Medicine in March 2023. Nothing in this section is a recommendation about what any family should record.^[1][2]

What caregivers report about emergency care plans

A 2025 study in Pediatric Emergency Care surveyed caregivers of children with medical complexity at an urban academic medical centre about emergency care plans. Ninety-eight of 454 eligible caregivers, or 21.6 per cent, responded. Most respondents cared for children who depend on technology, and 80 per cent were English-speaking. Of those who responded, 73.2 per cent felt such plans would be helpful.^[3]

Respondents rated detailed health information, such as a list of medical problems and a medication list, as the most useful content. The preferred format was within the electronic health record or an online application. The authors found no significant difference in responses between caregivers who already had a plan and those who did not. The sample came from a single centre, had a low response rate and involved children with complex conditions, so it cannot be generalised to all families.^[3]

Household emergency planning guidance

Ready.gov, an official website of the US Department of Homeland Security, asks households to discuss a plan together, consider their needs and document the plan. Its list of needs to consider includes the ages of household members, dietary needs, medical needs including prescriptions and equipment, languages spoken, and responsibilities for assisting others. It says to include household information, names and contacts of family members, meeting places and medical information, and to practise the plan with the household. The page was last updated on 1 September 2026.^[4]

The American Red Cross gives similar advice. It suggests choosing an out-of-area emergency contact, because texting or calling long distance may be easier when local lines are overloaded, and says everyone should carry emergency contact information in writing and saved on their phones. It adds that places where children spend time, such as school or daycare, should also have the contact numbers, and it offers an emergency contact card template for family members.^[5]

Read together, the sources mention overlapping items. The paediatric statement describes a medical summary for rapid access to critical information.^[1] Caregivers surveyed rated a list of medical problems and a medication list as the most useful content.^[3] Ready.gov lists medical needs including prescriptions and equipment, languages spoken and meeting places, and the Red Cross suggests written emergency contact information, an out-of-area contact and contact numbers for places where children spend time.^[4][5] These are the kinds of items the bodies name. They are not a checklist for any particular household, and nothing here is medical advice.

UAE emergency numbers

The UAE government portal, on a page updated on 1 October 2026, lists these numbers for calling from anywhere in the UAE: 999 for Police, 998 for Ambulance and 997 for Fire Department (Civil Defence). The same three numbers appear in the portal's site-wide emergency contacts and on an older Government of Ajman page. Other service lines, such as those for electricity, water or marine incidents, vary by emirate on the portal itself, so they are not listed here. The numbers above were read on 15 October 2026.^[6][7]

The portal adds that in Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Police AD999 app can be used to report a fire, request an ambulance or call the emergency helpline, and that in Dubai the DCAS SOS app can be used to request emergency ambulance services from Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services. Numbers and apps can change, so confirm them on the portal. This page gives no medical advice, and everything above is attributed to the named bodies.^[6]

Questions