(from left to right – Mayor Marc Coombs, Marty Opsteen NFA President, (behind CAO Craig Brooks, CBO Gerald Sproule) Front – Shannon & Matt McComb with son Evan, Bob & Marion McComb, past President of NFA Allan Carruthers and Resi Walt OFA)
Today, July 17, 2018, marks the installation of the first Farm 911 sign on a farmland property at 380 Stoney Lonesome Road Cramahe Township. Northumberland County and its member municipalities were first made aware by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) and the Northumberland Federation of Agriculture (NFA) of the Farm 911 -The Emily Project earlier this year. The project was named in regards to a seven year-old Hastings County resident, Emily Trudeau, who died from a farm accident in 2014. The initiative encourages rural property owners to have their entrances to vacant lands (farmers’ fields and woodlots) assigned special signage to ensure that emergency services are able to locate the entrance without difficulties.
Northumberland County has set aside $7000.00 to help offset the cost of the signs for rural property owners. To identify a field entrance within Cramahe Township an application is submitted to Holly Grant, Compliance Coordinator. The entrance process identifies a safe & appropriate passage for Emergency Responders. Once approved a yellow sign with black numbering is installed at the entrance way and entered into the 911 database.
Mayor Marc Coombs states “Our Council is fully supportive of this initiative. We encourage all our rural property owners who have vacant fields or woodlots to apply for their own Farm 911 sign. Anything we can do that can get first responders to the scene quicker & help save a life is worth promoting.”
Fire Chief Brandon Northrup states “Project Emily is another example of proactive measures that Cramahe Township are implementing for the safety of those properties not currently protected with the 911 system. Any project that expedites Emergency Responder Patient Contact is a lifesaving tool.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
