(*Special note: this was first published in the Sullivan News Progress newspaper)....
Green Reflective Signs Offer Quicker
Response Time
It is impossible to predict when an
emergency is going to happen. At any moment of the day, a fire can
strike, a friend or relative could fall or a small child could choke
on an object. What is the worst case scenario? The ambulance or
police being unable to find your home.
When there is an emergency, you want
help as soon as possible. The simpler it is for a rescue team to find
you, the quicker it is for them to provide help. Sullivan fireman,
Rob Young, is wanting to make it easier for response teams to find an
address in an emergency situation. Recently, the Sullivan Fire
Department has begun distributing green reflective signs to both
residents and business owners in Moultrie County.
“This project started three years
ago. The Lincoln Fire Department in Mattoon has already began handing
out reflective signs. Charleston and Lerna have also been
distributing them. I thought that these signs would also be helpful
for the people of Moultrie county,” explained Young.
The new green reflective signs display
the first part of a resident or business's 911 address. They can be
placed on a front porch, mailbox or a post in the front yard.
Right now, there is no ordinance
stating that these signs are mandatory. While people have a choice
whether to buy one or not, Young feels that they could be helpful for
the community. “The signs are good for the fire department, the
police and the sheriff. There will be no question if we have the
right house or not. They also allow for a quick response time because
the address sticks out and makes it easy to find. We will be able to
find an address day or night,”he stated.
Some people in Moultrie county are
already taking advantage of the new reflective signs. “We have sold
over 300 signs in our area already,” estimated Young. “The signs
are not just for residents, it's for anybody in Moultrie County that
wants these signs,” he clarified. Young continued on to offer some
advice."I'd like to urge everybody to get a sign because it
helps everybody respond more efficiently. It helps all of us.”
If you would like to get a green
reflective sign, you can request one at the Sullivan Fire Department
by giving a $20 donation. Checks can be written out to the Sullivan
Fire Department. To request a sign, you must provide your name, 911
address and phone number. The donation will help the Sullivan Fire
Department and allow a quicker response time in the event of an
emergency. For more information, you can visit the Sullivan Fire
Department's website at: http://www.sullfire.org
or call them at
217-728-8714.
