I got this forwarded to me from my wife a while back. I checked it out on Snopes, and it's legit. They point out some drawbacks to the proposal, but it still sems like a pretty good idea. It's a rare instance of an email forward that's worth the energy required to hit the 'delete' key.
ICE - In Case of Emergency A campaign encouraging people to enter an emergency contact number in their mobile phone's memory under the heading ICE (In Case of Emergency), has rapidly spread throughout the world as a particular consequence of last weekend's terrorist attacks in London.Originally established as a nation-wide campaign in the UK, ICE allows paramedics or police to be able to contact a designated relative / next-of-kin in an emergency situation.
The idea is the brainchild of East Anglian Ambulance Service paramedic Bob Brotchie and was launched in May this year. Bob, 41, who has been a paramedic for 13 years, said: I was reflecting on some of the calls I've attended at the roadside where I had to look through the mobile phone contacts struggling for information on a shocked or injured person. Almost everyone carries a mobile phone now, and with ICE we'd know immediately who to contact and what number to ring. The person may even know of their medical history.
By adopting the ICE advice, your mobile will help the rescue services quickly contact a friend or relative which could be vital in a life or death situation. It only takes a few seconds to do, and it could easily help save your life. Why not put ICE in your phone now? Simply select your person to contact in case of emergency, enter them under the word ICE and the telephone number of the person you wish to be contacted.
I have done that with my phone. I figured it couldnt hurt even if it wasnt true. The funny thing is that now when my mom calls, instead of the caller ID says "Mom" it says "ICE Mom". We had a good laugh.