Farm 911 project hopes to fix flaw in system that cost seven-year-old her life

Emily Trudeau

Getting 911 service is not always smooth for those who live in remote or rural locations – and a flaw has been found in the system.

Resi Walt and Mark Slack, of Ontario Federation of Agriculture, are to address Prince Edward County Council Thursday regarding Farm 911, the Emily Project – designed to help improve emergency services in rural communities.

“Farm accidents can occur in the most remote locations, making it difficult for first responders to easily locate the situation,” their deputation states. “There is a flaw in the system – not all rural property entraces have signage.”

Emily Trudeau, 7, died after she fell from, and was struck by a moving tractor, on her parent’s’ beef farm near Tweed in 2014.

First responders could not immediately find the scene of the accident.

Her parents Scott and Angela, and her sisters, helped launch The Emily Project in tribute this summer at the Hastings County Plowing Match and Farm Show.

“We would like to work to decrease the chances of this happening ever again.”

Founding partners include the Federations of Agriculture from Hastings, Northumberland, Lennox & Addington, Prince Edward County and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

Objectives of the project include:
-creating a unified system for acquiring 911 signs across all four counties.
-Persuading municipalities to offer the signs as a service to the community.
– Encourage rural landowners to use the service.
– Develop resources to teach property owners how to contact emergency services efficiently.
– Promote the program through digital, print and social media.

For more information, visit www.farm911.ca