Why Is This Important For Farmers?
A farm safety map provides added protection for a farmer in the event of an emergency, such as a fire. Livestock and other valuable assets will be better protected if local emergency responders know locations and types of hazards, such as agricultural chemicals. Not knowing the nature of farm hazards reduces the effectiveness of emergency response. Farm safety maps also protect other assets on the farm such as septic systems and water supplies from unnecessary damages caused by response personnel. Having a Farm Emergency Response Map available to local emergency responders avoids incidental damages to the farm and provides a more effective response, it can also reduce insurance costs.
Why Is This Important to FFA Students?
FFA students will learn the importance of farm safety and the related contribution of farm safety maps. In addition, students will become skilled in the use of geospatial technologies, such as global positioning systems (GPS) and geographic information systems (GIS), in the development of the farm safety maps.
Why is This Important for Schools & Teachers?
There are many benefits that a teacher and their school can gain by becoming involved with FFA SAFE. A few of these are listed below:
- Free GIS Software for your school which includes a site (lab) license for ArcView GIS site license that you can install at no cost in your computer labs.
- Free GPS equipment - Get a Garmin GPS 76s map for your school.
- Free geospatial technology training that can be applied towards Act 48 educational development credits: learn to use GIS and GPS software and equipment through free training offered by the Penn State Geospatial Technology Program, Land Analysis Lab
- Free use of curriculum the FFA FARM SAFE curriculum developed by the Penn State Geospatial Technology Program, Land Analysis Lab
Why Is This Important to Local Emergency Responders?
Exposure to toxic chemicals, explosive fuel storage areas and other hazards confront local emergency responders when dealing with farm emergencies and often in adverse weather conditions. Knowledge of potential hazards on a farm early in the response can avoid unnecessary loss of human life and reduce dangers. Local emergency responders risk their health to do their jobs and this project will increase their safety.