It is a project two years in the works in Prince Edward County and today, a significant step forward was made.
The Farm 911: Emily Project launched in the municipality with the installation of the very first civic address sign installed at the entrance of a field belonging to Ruth MacStephen on County Road 5 in Picton.
Resi Walt, The Emily Project representative was the driving force behind getting this project up and running in Prince Edward County.
She says the timing of this launch is ideal for farmers.
Walt says now it is just up to the farmers in Prince Edward County to get on board, something she figures won’t be an issue as the farming community is a very strong community that supports each other and is the backbone of the municipality.
Farm 911: The Emily Project is named for seven-year-old Hastings County resident Emily Trudeau, who died from a farm accident in 2014. The project encourages agricultural landowners to have a civic address at the entrance to their vacant farm field to assist first responders in the event of an emergency or accident.
Farm 911: The Emily Project has spread as far as municipalities in the Niagara region in the south, and as far east as Prescott-Russell. Hastings County, Lennox and Addington and Northumberland County are all on board with the project locally.
Prince Edward County OPP officer Aaron Miller helps to install the first Farm 911 sign in Prince Edward County on County Road 5 in Picton. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)
Prince Edward County OPP Detachment Commander John Hatch says this will go a long way towards assisting emergency responders.
Hatch also stated he is sure this initiative will help save lives in the future.
The signs are red to help identify they mark a farmer’s field and cost $55.
To fill out a Farm 911: Emily Project application, click here.
To learn more about Farm 911: The Emily Project, click here.
