Yellow is primarily known as a color of caution. This will again hold true Wednesday when Dallas County Sheriff Harris Huffman Jr. holds a press conference at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church Nutrition Center to officially kick off the Yellow Dot Program for Dallas County.

At Monday’s Dallas County Commission meeting, Dallas County Emergency Management Agency director Rhonda Abbott reminded everyone of the importance of this program, which is a cooperative effort between local sheriff’s deputies, police officers, state troopers and emergency medical services as well as local fire departments and emergency management to assist citizens, in a program that helps people in a time of need when they might not be able to help themselves.

“This is a very important program to Dallas County,” she said. “It has been in other counties and has saved lives. It’s not just going to work in Dallas County, it’s going to work across the state of Alabama eventually.”

Dallas County will be the 24th county in Alabama to implement the program.

The program places a yellow dot in the rear window of a vehicle that alerts first responders to vital information stored in a yellow envelope located in the glove compartment. This will ensure that citizens receive the medical attention they need if they are involved in a crash.

Dallas County Probate Judge Kim Ballard, who is familiar with the program, said it can be a lifesaver.

“You get a little yellow package where you put all your information like who your doctor is and what meds you’re on and what your conditions are,” he said. “It goes in your glove compartment of your car and then your car has the sticker on there as a notice to first responders. There are some good case histories out there as to what this program has done.”

Abbott agreed, saying the small envelope can tell first responders everything they need to know.

In addition to medical records, Abbott said the envelope also has contact information for family members or spouses.

Following the kickoff, Abbott said they will work with local churches and organizations to raise awareness.

“We will work all summer with the sheriff’s and police departments to get this out there,” she said. “It’s just that important. We’ll get out into the county so that people get the message and let people know where we will be.”

For more information on the program, call 874-2515.