CLARKSBURG -- The Clarksburg Woman's Club and the city's fire department have teamed up to help make small children safer if they're in an automobile accident.
The WHALE (We Have A Little Emergency) Program is beginning throughout the county to help provide rescue personnel with information about a child riding in a car seat -- information such as name, address, next of kin and special medical conditions.
"The program, started by a caregiver in Virginia, requires the use of one 4-inch by 4-inch label and four self-adhesive stickers," said Lyda Lister, Woman's Club Community Improvement Project co-chairman.
The stickers are attached to the car seat and the rear windows of the vehicle to alert rescuers that the vehicle occupants participate in the program.
Juanita McNemar, Community Improvement Project co-chairman, said the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs introduced the program to various fire departments, and the club learned about it through the local hospital auxiliary.
The Woman's Club's immediate past president, Kathy Folio, was instrumental in funding the program, according to McNemar.
Lister said the fire department will anchor the program.
Fire Chief Joe Gonzalez said WHALE program information will be available at all four of the Clarksburg fire stations, as well as any function where the department's fire safety trailer is used.
Georgia Harrison, club president, said members want to help protect all children in the county, as well as in Clarksburg.
"Interested people may also contact any Woman's Club member for an information packet," said Harrison.
Staff writer Darlene J. Taylor can be reached at 626-1403 or by e-mail at dtaylor@exponent-telegram.com
