No one should have to watch helplessly as an ambulance drives by you.
That’s the mantra of a new initiative called ‘FARM 911, The Emily Project’ aimed at getting emergency number signage for 30,000 farm fields province-wide.
On Monday night, Resi Walt a member of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture told Quinte West council how the campaign was spearheaded by local dad Scott Trudeau of Tweed following the death of his 7-year-old daughter Emily during a tragic farming accident in 2014.
“He asked to address field signs,” said Walt. “The day of the accident the EMS drove by and had to be flagged down by Emily’s mom. Time is crucial in an accident and 911 signs ensure proper response times. Having a location that is GIS entered and physically matched with a sign in the ground alleviates the possibility of untimely error. You can place it (sign) at a place that doesn’t have a building present. The goal is to let farmers know 911 signs are available for their entrance and it becomes a permanent part of their location.”
Resi Walt and fellow committee member Vince Brennan have been travelling to many council chambers with the aim of reaching out to every horseshoe within Hastings, Northumberland, Prince Edward and Lennox and Addington Counties.
“We are all for this idea,” said Quinte West Fire Chief John Whalen who has had previous conversations with the committee. “Not too long ago we had a logging accident on County Road 40 and we couldn’t find the individual. This would’ve helped.”
“We will have a look into this and see where it goes in September,” said mayor Jim Harrison.
The campaign will be officially launched at the Hastings County Plowing Match on August 23 on the main stage at 11 a.m.
