Caledon, Farm 911 partner to save rural lives

Written By KIRA WRONSKA DORWARD

Living in a rural farming community, we often forget how isolated some of us are from our neighbours. Most of us don't think about this liability until something happens, as was the case with a little girl named Emily. She was “farm girl strong” and a “right hand” to her daddy on the family farm until she died in a farming accident on a part of the family's property which, unfortunately, lacked a municipal address number. By the time paramedics arrived, eight-year-old Emily had perished because the first responders had been unable to locate her quickly. Thus Farm 911: The Emily Project was born.

Now in its second year, Farm 911 is an awareness campaign across municipalities in Ontario that has partnered with the Town of Caledon to reduce the cost of registering for municipal numbers on vacant farming lots which, before, had no address. The Peel Federation of Agriculture has worked with the Town to create an arrangement whereby farmers can easily apply for a municipal number and 911 sign on vacant farm properties. “This campaign is about safety preparedness,” says Leah Emms, Member Service Rep for the OFA. “Accidents happen in a blink, and farmers are often alone in the field. Precious time can be wasted finding where you are. With a municipal number, emergency responders can find you more quickly.”

Before this campaign, municipal numbers were attached to building permits and costs were prohibitively high. That has changed because of the Emily Project. Now, property owners need only make a request to the Town of Caledon at municipalnumbers@caledon.ca and the form may be mailed or dropped off at the Town Hall. It and must include the following:

• A copy of an aerial site plan that shows the driveway/entrance location, setbacks from the entrance to the nearest property line and whether the driveway/entrance is existing or proposed

• A roll number identifying the property (you can obtain this information from your tax bill)

• Confirmation as to whether you would also like to purchase a pole and/or if you would prefer the Town to install the number (these services will be at your cost)

As an added incentive, the first 100 farmers that apply for and purchase a 911 sign for their vacant property will receive a $20 rebate, upon submission of receipt to the Peel Federation of Agriculture. Receipts must be submitted no later than Nov. 23, 2018. Receipts can be submitted to peelfederationofagriculture@gmail.com.

These precautions save lives. Had Emily's property had a Farm 911 sign and a municipal number, she might be alive today. For more information, visit caledon.ca/municipalnumbers or call 905-584-2272 x 7338. To learn more about the Emily Project, visit farm911.ca.