If you’ve ever utilized the Raccoon River Valley Trail, you’ve probably noticed the numbers posted along the side of the trail.

In case you weren’t aware, those are part of the Trail Emergency Access System (TEAS). The numbers are posted every half mile on the trail, and make it easier for emergency crews and county officials to find where you are on the trail. In case of an accident or any other type of emergency, people can call 911 and tell the dispatcher the nearest number to them. That will provide responders the precise location where they can find you, which will increase response time. Additionally, you can call Dallas County Conservation to alert them of any hazards you find along the trail, such as a fallen tree.