At the Senior Advisory Council meeting on Sept. 7, at the Almaden Winery Community Center, Daniella Polar, community outreach coordinator for District 10, and the fire department provided a presentation to seniors who were not aware of the program.

The San Jose Fire Department has been sponsoring the program for more than five years.

Vial of LIFE is a container that holds a sheet of paper, which displays a person's health status, history or other pertinent information that could help a potential rescuer. The container is stored in the home's refrigerator on the first shelf near the door handle. The fire department recommends residents store it in this spot so they can locate it quickly.

Placing a Vial of LIFE decal on the outside of the refrigerator tells firefighters and other rescue teams that the health information they need is in the vial in the refrigerator.

The Vial of LIFE is mostly used when an incapacitated person is found alone in their home. Because the person cannot speak for him or herself, rescue teams can access the information.

By reaching out to seniors and others in the community, council members are helping spread awareness of the program.

While everyone can benefit from the Vial of LIFE program, Capt. Alberto Olmos said the fire department tends to focus on senior citizens in the community when it promotes the program because many live alone and are prone to falling down.

Seniors are not the only group that can benefit from the program. Vial of LIFE is for all ages, because it's a "life-saving tool that costs no money," said deputy Tarrence Helm of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department.

"You're helping others help you. It allows us to protect you better and get the help you need," Helms added.

The Sheriff's Department has been sponsoring the Vial of LIFE program for about two years.

Vial of LIFE kits are available at all San Jose fire stations, including Almaden fire station No. 28 at 19911 McKean Road.

Those interested can also obtain kits at the District 10 office in the new city hall building downtown. But residents can also request that Councilmember Nancy Pyle or one of her staff bring them a kit if they plan on coming to a community meeting where a District 10 staff member will be present.

Polar said Pyle also keeps some in her car and will give them to residents she meets in the community upon request.