Clarington partners with Farm 911: The Emily Project to help keep rural residents safe

Clarington October 14, 2020/- Clarington is launching a new safety initiative to assist first responders in locating remote rural properties quickly in emergencies. Clarington has partnered with the Region of Durham and Farm 911: The Emily Project on this initiative to create address markers and clear signage for all properties.

Farm 911: The Emily Project was founded by the parents of seven-year-old Emily Trudeau, who died in a farming accident in Tweed in 2014. First responders were delayed in helping Emily as they couldn’t locate the scene. 

“To help prevent another needless tragedy, we want to encourage all rural property owners to work with us and request a civic address and sign for their vacant properties,” said Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster.

“When farm accidents happen in a remote location, time is of the essence,” said Clarington Fire Chief Gord Weir. “But without a clear address marker, it can be difficult for first responders to find the people who need help.”

Photo above: A civic address sign at the entrance of a rural property

To apply for a civic address sign, landowners can contact Clarington’s Planning Services Department at 905-623-3379 ext. 2416 or email planningGIS@clarington.net. Staff will determine if a new or additional civic address is required and assign a municipal address, if necessary. New addresses will be added to the municipal street index and shared with Clarington Emergency and Fire Services, Canada Post, Durham Region and local utilities. Clarington staff will install address signs at the property entrance approximately one to three weeks after the new address has been circulated.

The Emily Project is a voluntary initiative. There is no cost to landowners to have an address assigned to their properties or install the sign.

“We encourage all rural landowners to ensure their properties are properly signed. When seconds count, having a registered address and sign at the entrance of remote locations can mean the difference between life and death,” said Chief Weir.

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Media Contact:
Leanne Walker
Communications Specialist
905-623-3379 ext. 2217