I've been surprised how many people don't know the number of their doctor, lawyer, siblings, even partners. So even a minor problem like a dead/broken phone becomes a much bigger problem. While not a real emergency the EWC can help, there's extra fields for whatever.
Ive kicked the idea around to start a company that would attack this issue in a few different ways..
get an app or on the site, enter in some info..
an easy to remember 800 number that is answered 24/7..
the person who answers can unlock the info you saved via the app or web site - and call numbers for your X or your Y and even do it three-way / conference call.. and even call your Z or V after you hang up - to notify you've been detained or whatever.
I think people would pay for this, and it would be easy to freemium - as you could pre-roll a local bail bonds ad when called if freemium user..
I have some other ways to make this work even better with some added tech things.
could even have a set of info that is made available to paramedics / hospitals should they find your emergency card in wallet and such.
now I want to build this more, I'm guessing a premium phone number is not cheap these days, so keeping this in the ideas phase.
A few years ago, I borrowed a combination lock from my wife while I went to the Y to work out in the pool. When I finished my swim, I realized I'd forgotten the combination. I called her from the pool office phone. It took several calls and a couple messages for her to pick up and answer.
I too will often not answer the phone if it's an unfamiliar number, but I do answer if it's the local area code which is not the area code of my wife's and my phone numbers since I figure it's more likely to be something legitimate like a call from a school or a local business where maybe I've forgotten I had placed an order or left dry cleaning and my stuff is now ready. If she had this policy, I would have spent less time waiting to get the combination.
Because no one dials the numbers anymore -- they just select the entry in their contacts list. And the contact's name (and possibly picture) is displayed more prominently than the phone number.
