There are numerous ways that you can better yourself to protect your family and yourself.

Get trained by taking first aid and CPR classes at the American Red Cross. Give Debra Davis a call at our local office, 601-442-3656. Debra will be more than happy to help you help others.

Join the Adams County Search and Rescue, a great group of volunteers that perform numerous life safety activities. They were active during the Phatwater Kayak Challenge providing a safety/rescue boat patrol on the Mississippi River.

They also provided not only river patrol but also ground support for the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race. Search and rescue meets regularly every third Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Adams County Emergency Operations Center, 201 S. Wall St.

The volunteer fire departments that protect the outlying rural areas are always looking for new volunteers. They are the Foster Mound VFD, Lake Montrose VFD, Kingston VFD and Liberty Road VFD. There is a need for all types of individuals, such as fundraisers, administrative work, auxiliary and many other areas. Call 601-442-7021 and we will direct you to the department nearest you.

Last but very far from the least, our office receives complaints nearly daily from firefighters, emergency medical services and law enforcement officers concerning the number of residences without visible street numbers marking their homes.

The next time you drive down your street, take a look at the number of homes that are not marked properly and put yourself in the driver’s seat of the ambulance responded to a call of a possible heart attack.

Seconds save lives. Adams County currently has an ordinance where homeowners can be fined $10 a day if the designated street number is not three inches high and visible from the road. Legislating common sense should not be needed. Please make sure your numbers are visible for your first responders.

Any of the above suggestions may save a life, and that life could be yours.

Stan Owens is the director of Emergency Management and Civil Defense.