Monroe County Fire Department selling emergency address signs for increased visibility

The Monroe County Fire Department wants you to know about an offer that could help first responders find you faster in an emergency.

FORSYTH, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Monroe County Fire Department wants you to know about an offer that could help first responders find you faster in an emergency.

The Fire Department is selling high visibility signs online for $20 that you can pick up in person at Fire Station 1. For an extra $5, you can also have the signs delivered and installed by Fire Chief Burris.

Captain Christina Bramlett says numbers on your house or mail box may not always be visible, especially in the dark or during severe weather.

“Having these highly reflective address signs that are the same across the board help us find the proper address a lot quicker,” Bramlett said.

Bramlett explains that it can also be harder to find homes because the address isn’t correct in Google maps or because of long driveways.

“So many times in rural Monroe County, homes are not even visible or they may even just be 100 yards off the roadway,” she said. “And while they can see our flashing lights, we can’t see their homes.”

She says she hopes to see every home in Monroe County have an emergency address sign out front.

Bramlett also stresses the importance of having smoke detectors in your home. She says your home should have a smoke detector inside every bedroom, hallway and living area to increase your chances of surviving a structure fire.

“They have less than three minutes to escape a house fire with today’s furnishings, and those fires burn hotter and faster,” she said.  “And so you want that first alert as soon as you can to just get out. ”

Bramlett says the Monroe County Fire Department has a program to provide elderly and low-income residentS with free smoke detectors.

You can contact the fire department by calling (478) 993-1633.