Address signs are being created to help first responders find rural homes
VAN BUREN Mo. (KBSI) – John Henderson the owner of a nonprofit organization Big Spring Sheltered Workshop in Van Buren Missouri is creating address signs to help first responders find homes faster in rural areas.
“About six months ago we started making these 911 address signs here at the workshop and they are doing the 911 role out in 5 counties I believe and so we’ve been posting and trying to get people to purchase them so the first responders can find their house faster during an emergency.”
Henderson says that these signs make a difference due to being out in the country it can be hard for emergency crews to find homes if there is an emergency especially with new staff for police and emergency departments.
“It’s just very rewarding like I said our job is to make sure they dignified and meaningful employment and we are actually a 50163 nonprofit but with every address sign we sell we give a dollar to the local fire department just to be able to give a little bit back.”
The signs show home address numbers that go at the end of the street instead of up near the house. The signs are red so they are eay to spot. Thirty signs have been sold already and you can purchase in person at the Big Spring Sheltered Workshop in Van Buren or on their Facebook Page.
Local business owner Crystal Johnson says the signs are making a big impact and the organization as a whole is important to the community.
“Lucy and all the guys and gals there at the Big Springs Sheltered Workshop they are crucial and vital for our community and that they would think about things like address signs for our small community. I mean we live 20 miles outside of town we run a ranch and if the volunteer fire folks or any police department that might be new to the troop or new to the team that wouldn’t necessarily know the big rock and the big tree that everybody would know or across the big dry creek and all this different stuff those signs would be vital for them people to help find us and our family or neighbors that need help quickly and that they recognize that need for a small community is great.”
