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THE ^ COAST ECHO—THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1996-3A
911 locator lights scheduled for Clermont and Lakeshore areas
BY ED LEPOMA
A pilot program to offer resi-) dents flashing outside porch lights that would help rescue officials to find their homes could be in place in Clermont Harbor as early as next fall.
Last week, the Hancock County Board of Supervisors approved a request made by the Clermont Harbor-Lakeshore Fire District and the Clermont Harbor Volunteer Fire depart-mentto begin implementing the program. Supervisors agreed to allocate $1,200 in seed money for start-up costs. The money comes from an insurance rebate fund set aside for distribution among the county’s volunteer . fire departments.
) “It is strictly a volunteer program, although I hope the majority of residents in our district will participate,” said Clyde Ladner, who serves a treasurer of the Clermont Harbor Volunteer Fire Department and will be program manager.
Here’s how the program will work: The seed monies will be used initially to buy 100 light switches, which will be offered
for sale to persons living in a house or trailer. People who live in a permanent structure only on weekends or holidays will also be eligible to participate in the program.
The switch is connected to a regular front porch light, and after a person dials 911 to request emergency assistance, he turns on the light.The outside porch light will flash off and on, helping emergency vehicles to find the residence more quickly.
Ladner said the switches will cost $15 to individuals who can afford them, but there is a way to reduce costs to the elderly and those on fixed incomes.
“We have formed a Special Committee composed of myself and others in the Fire Department to determine who might be eligible for assistance,” said Ladner.
He said if an individual convinces the committee that the $15 charge would impose a financial hardship on him, but indicates he wants to participate, the program would pro-
vide the light switch, and if necessary, have it installed by a licensed electrician under contract to the program, at no cost to the individual.
If an individual has limited finances, the committee could offer the light switch to him at half price, Ladner said.
The monies generated by the purchase fees will be used to purchase additional 911 locator light switches, he said.
The Clermont-Harbor-Lakeshore Fire Protection District will establish a special savings account at a local bank, and pay expenditures out of the District’s regular commercial checking account.
As expenditures are incurred, monies will be drawn out of the savings account in order to replenish the Fire District’s checking account.
Ladner said there is a potential to provide the service to 800 residents in the District.
A projected budget submitted to supervisors estimated costs of $4,000 for the program, but
Ladner said, “Hopefully, it will be take care of itself.”
Most of that monies would be generated by selling the light switches, but he said the two agencies involved are also planning a fund-raiser in the fall to offset costs.
Mississippi casinos, Hancock County businesses, American Medical Response, and the county’s 911 Commission will also be asked for contributions.
Ladner added that supervisors have also instructed planners with the Gulf Regional Planning Commission to seek out any federal or state grants that might be used for the program.