Q & A: Janice Mueller

UNION-TRIBUNE - March 6, 2005

Nearly a decade ago, Janice Mueller was suddenly confronted by her mother's serious illness and the need to immediately provide doctors with precise information about her mother's health situation. "They wanted to know what medications she was taking and how often, and how she reacted to the drugs," Mueller said. "I realized most of the problems I was having were in communication levels." That spurred Mueller, her husband, Gary, and their four children to create InCaseOfEmergency.US, which produces personal emergency preparedness products. Each member of the family has contributed to the project, borrowing on their expertise in nursing, emergency medical care, graphics or sales and marketing. The Encinitas company got up and running last year and has developed five books to help individuals prepare for emergencies.

What convinced you that people need to be prepared for family emergencies?

Through my own family's experiences, we've learned that most people just aren't prepared for emergencies. We had two critical situations in our family – a heart problem and a blood clot – that required immediate action. Those experiences told us how important it was to have information immediately available when you need it. We created these fill-in books to help with that. When someone has an accident, you can't count on them to share information. They might be in shock, but it's still information doctors need to have to treat them. You have to have this information ready.

Can you describe the Ready Books?

The books are spiral notebooks, 5-½ by 8-½ (inches), and allow you to compile any personal information that you may need in an emergency. It's a way of getting organized and keeping your information with you so that you have it when you need it. There are five Ready Books, each dealing with a key life management priority. ReadyLifeline is for compiling personal medical information, which can be critical in life-threatening situations. There are other books – ReadyPlan, ReadyHome, ReadyAuto and ReadyVet. You can keep vital information about your house, automobile and pets. The ReadyPlan is a sort of a homeland security book. You put in numbers for the Red Cross, emergency disaster preparedness, contact numbers of people out of state, schedules of family members so you know just where to find them in times of emergency. For instance, you might have your child's soccer coach's cell phone number in there in case you have to get a hold of the child on a moment's notice.

How much do the books cost?

They cost from $36 to $39.95. You can either purchase the book or get a book in a pouch that allows you to keep emergency supplies with it.

What is your association with ARC of San Diego?

ARC provides services for people with disabilities and their families. We have hired ARC to do our packaging and shipping. ARC employees will shrink wrap our packages and we will provide them with customer service orders that will be shipped directly by ARC.

How will you market your products?

Our books are available online at www.ICOE.US. We also are negotiating with several retail chains and other organizations with large membership bases. Our books are perfect for companies that want to brand them as their own and give customized books to their employees or clients.

– Michael Kinsman

March 6, 2005 Union Tribune Interview with ICOE