First responders in Lauderdale County will have another way to alert motorists of crashes or other emergencies after the Board of Supervisors on Monday approved the purchase of a message display sign for Lauderdale County Emergency Management.
LEMA Director Odie Barrett said the sign is similar to tow-behind message signs used by the Mississippi Department of Transportation but is designed to be even more portable and easy to set up. It runs off a battery and can be programed with whatever message the county needs to share.
“This sign is going to be for a quick response sign,” he said. “We’ve got access to some big ones that may take a while to get out to a site, but if we’re working a wreak or something on the interstate, this particular sign being portable will allow us to get on scene quicker with a message board to alert everyone coming down the road of what’s going on ahead of them and take corrective actions.”
Barrett said the message board can be folded up and carried in the back of a vehicle. When needed, it can be mounted on a truck or on a free-standing base. While Monday’s action was to purchase just one message display, Barrett said he may look to buy additional units in the future.
“We’re going to see if this one works, and if it’s good then I’ll look at buying another one,” he said.
In a work session Thursday, County Administrator Chris Lafferty said the county might want to purchase several message boards if the first one works well. The Road Department, Sheriff’s Department and others could also find use for the portable signs as well.