The Lifetabs Story

The purpose of this blog is to spread the message of safety to Law Enforcement, EMS and Public Safety Professionals and to cultivate new ideas for safety product innovation and to share ideas and experiences. All comments good and bad are welcome here. Share what works for you and the products you find useful. IF YOUR NOT IN PUBLIC SAFETY PLEASE PASS THIS BLOG ON TO A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER THAT IS! YOU MAY JUST SAVE THEIR LIFE!

Here is a bit about me and the product I developed. www.tab4life.com

Our Story:

Jeff Stewart, a local New Jersey police officer, was relieving the department's dispatcher for a lunch break when a 911 call came in. A male party reported he had just stabbed his wife. Officer Stewart assigned several patrol units to the job. The first officer arrived on scene was buzzed into the common hallway of the building and raced upstairs to the second floor apartment to investigate. He used a doormat to prevent the door from locking him inside.A few seconds later, the first officer on scene called HQ reporting a female was unresponsive with a stab wound to the chest. Since the suspect was in the room as well, the officer also requested back up units to expedite. Upon arrival, the backup units were unable to enter the building. After the first officer propped the door open a neighbor walking her dog removed the doormat, locking the door behind her. The officer did something we all have done. Little did he know the door was locked behind him leaving him alone with the suspect and victim. Luckily a neighbor was available to let the back up in and no one was hurt.

The Idea That Can Save Your Life:

Officer Stewart teamed up with Det. Sgt. Keith Kopacz, P.O. Benny Montelbano, and retired first responder and local businessman Manny Martins to develop a solution to the problem we face almost every day. How do we avoid using a doormat, newspaper and other available items to allow backup units to gain entry to a building with an automatic locking door? In March 2007, we filed for a patent and Lifetabs were born. In March 2008, Lifetabs partnered with Vincent Cusmano to handle manufacturing, logistics and distribution to serve the law enforcement organizations worldwide.

Lifetabs are single use tabs that adhere to the strike plate on a door jam, preventing it from locking, enhancing first responder safety. The brightly colored tab not only allows access to backup units but also serves as an indicator as to the location of the officer. Lifetabs are especially useful in apartment complexes where there may be multiple doors of the same color or poorly numbered doors.