Farm location maps 'invaluable' for Southland emergency services
Monday, 25 May 2015
Books which could help save lives are being handed out to Southland and West Otago emergency services.
The ninth edition of the Farm Location Map of Southland and West Otago book has been organised and printed by the Lumsden, Otautau, and Wyndham Lions Clubs.
Lions Combined Farm Location Map Committee chairman Andrew Cottam said about 100 volunteers from the three clubs had scoured the countryside to ensure the information in the book was correct.
The Farm Location maps have been published since 1965, when the first maps were made by several different organisations for their communities.
Since then, the three Lions Clubs have taken over, and use the books as their biggest fundraiser, Cottam said.
About 180 books would be donated to the Fire Service and St John Ambulance in Southland and West Otago, one for each vehicle, he said.
It is the first time the books have been donated to emergency services Southland wide, Cottam said.
Invercargill St John Ambulance spokeswoman Katrina Andrew said the books were invaluable.
Their operations base was in Christchurch, and ambulance officers didn't always receive clear directions, she said.
'They send us out into the wild blue yonder, this gives us a hard copy, in colour, so you can see all the contours of the land, and the little tricky roads,' she said.
Invercargill Fire Service chief fire officer Bruce Stubbs said while the service's GPS systems were good, they weren't always reliable.
People calling in a fire would often give a rapid number or a farmer's name, and the map book included that information, he said.
Wyndham Lions member Ivan Crean said the club's motto was 'We Serve.'
The map was a perfect example of putting their motto into action, he said.
Cottam said profits from selling the books would be divided equally among the clubs, which then distribute the money to causes in their communities.
The books can be purchased from Lions Clubs directly for $25, from bookshops for $35, or from some schools for $35, with $10 going to the school from each sale.
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