Flagler County Vice Chair Kim Carney debuts ‘File of Life’ initiative
Published on February 25, 2026
February 25, 2026 – Flagler County Board of County Commissioners Vice Chair Kim Carney on Tuesday (February 24) debuted her “File of Life” initiative at her first District 3 Town Hall. “File of Life” – which is similar to the Vial of Life created in 1998 in California – includes, among other things, information about the Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNRO).
Her mother, who passed recently, made it known to her daughter that she did not want to be resuscitated when the time came. Carney was determined to fulfill her mother’s wishes and was saddened to learn that all the advanced planning fell short when the time came.
“Death with dignity is what she wanted. She worked as a nurse…” Carney said, letting her thought drift. “I thought I had all the paperwork done. There was one thing that needed to be done that would have bridged the gap.”
Carney leveraged her grief into purpose so that others don’t find themselves caught off guard through her File of Life initiative.
The Florida DNR yellow form (DH Form 1896) is a legally required document for a Do Not Resuscitate Order, instructing medical staff not to perform CPR if the patient’s heart or breathing stops. It must be printed on yellow paper to be valid for emergency responders to recognize and honor the form – otherwise, they are required to preserve life.
It requires a physician's signature and directs emergency personnel to withhold CPR in specific situations, differentiating it from a Living Will.
Through a personal donation, Carney is making sure the yellow DNRO forms are available for distribution by Flagler County Fire Rescue Community Paramedics in kits that also contain:
- A 5 by 7-inch magnetic holder for the DNRO and other pertinent medical documents
- A 3 by 3-inch sticker for a front door or window
“Working on this project allows me to save her wishes,” Carney said. “This is not to encourage people one way or another. I just want people to know the information if it is something they want or need.”
There is legislation – House Bill 369 and Senate Bill 312 – that should make this process easier down the road.
“Until then we will have a process in place,” Carney said.
Flagler County Fire Rescue Community Paramedics are distributing a number of kits that include a front door sticker to alert first responders about the existence of the resident’s File of Life, as well as the small magnetic file – intended for the refrigerator – to hold important medical documentation. Call 386-313-4260, or email commparamed@flaglercounty.gov.
For more information, go to www.flaglercounty.gov/County-Services/Public-Safety/Flagler-County-Fire-Rescue/Important-Medical-Documentation.
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