Street Signs Installed To Help Floaters On DuPage River In Plainfield

PLAINFIELD, IL — Floaters and kayakers on the DuPage River no longer have to wonder where they've ended up in case of emergency. The Plainfield Fire Protection District recently installed street name signs on road bridges.

The fire district identified several months ago a recurring issue where people who called 911 during emergencies were unable to identify their exact location, officials said Wednesday.

"Although they could often see a nearby bridge, they did not know the name of the road crossing it, causing delays in emergency response," officials said.

Now, street signs are posted from 111th Street to Black Road.

For the project, the fire district partnered with the Village of Plainfield Street Department, which fabricated the signs.

For those who plan to spend time on the river, fire officials shared these safety tips:

• Always wear a properly fitted life jacket.
• Let a friend or family member know your plans and expected return time.
• Keep your phone in a waterproof case so you can call for help if needed.
• Those who need emergency assistance should use the newly installed bridge signs to help identify your location.

When it rains and river levels rise, officials also reminded floaters that strong currents could easily sweep a person out of a tube or knock them off their feet, even if the water doesn't appear to be moving quickly.