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The Red Folder Project was officially launched last week at the Los Palacios Social Centre in Camposol. The initiative, which has been developed by local volunteer association FAST in partnership with Mazarrón’s Civil Protection and Social Services departments, the British Vice-Consulate, and the Mazarrón CAVI centre, is aimed at improving emergency responses for vulnerable residents, especially those over 80 or living with some form of dependency.

 

The project provides residents with a red folder to store vital personal and medical information, including details about medication, chronic illnesses, mobility levels (Barthel Index), next of kin and even pets or the location of keys. Each home with a folder places a recognisable sticker on the fridge or front door to help emergency teams locate it quickly.

 

With language barriers often slowing response times, the bilingual format of the forms – Spanish on the left and the user’s language on the right – makes the information clear and accessible for emergency services.

 

So far, 600 folders have already been distributed in Camposol, and further translations and expansion across the municipality of Mazarrón are planned.

 

At the launch event, Mazarrón councillor Carmen Navarro described the project as “a silent solution” that can help avoid delays and ensure effective emergency and social care. FAST’s role as a first responder organisation was praised for its ongoing support and coordination with emergency services.

 

Daniel Aragón, head of Civil Protection, highlighted FAST’s work as crucial in the early stages of emergencies, particularly before the arrival of ambulances. A real-life example shared by Social Services head María Isabel Carrillo underlined the importance of the scheme, recalling a recent case involving the Guardia Civil and a resident who had died alone without any next of kin or emergency contact available.

 

Red Folders can be collected at the FAST desk outside Alley Palais on Friday mornings from 10.30am to 12.30pm or at the Taquilla Tickets office in A Sector Commercial Centre from Monday to Friday between 10am and 2pm.

 

Residents are encouraged to collect a folder for each household member, keep their details up to date and to store the folder in a visible, agreed place within the home.