Finding you in an emergency can literally be the difference between life and death. Emergency responders often have difficulties identifying homes that are poorly marked. “It’s a tan house on the hill with a grey car in the driveway”. Why is that so difficult to find? Now think of that same house, that you’ve never visited, 100 yards from the road, surrounded by trees, in the middle of the night, with only your headlights to illuminate your way. Now, add some adrenaline because you know someone is having a stroke or heart attack and that person is depending on you to get there quickly.
How can you help? By making sure your address is properly posted. Emergency responders such as Police, Fire, and EMS can locate your home faster, saving critical time when responding to your emergency. In addition, address signs not only help emergency responders, but they also benefit various service providers, including delivery drivers, utility workers, and visitors.
Important things to consider when posting your address:
Numbers should be posted at the roadway/driveway. Make sure to post your numbers high enough to avoid being covered by snow, shrubbery, or decorations.
Numbers should be placed on a post at the end of the driveway and should be visible from both directions. Numbers posted on mailboxes can be misleading because mailboxes are often grouped for postal convenience and/or located on the opposite side of the road.
Familiarize yourself with any local regulations governing address signage to ensure compliance with size, placement, and other requirements.
Here are some frequently asked questions:
I have called 911 before and they had no problem finding me, so shouldn’t they be able to find me again? While most emergency responders are very familiar with their area, sometimes crews respond from a neighboring jurisdiction when your local crew is on another call. Remember, TIME IS CRITICAL, so time lost trying to find you could mean the loss of life and/or property.
I moved to another location; can I still use my old address? No. It is very dangerous to attempt to use your former address, as responders will go to your old location. Addresses are attached to the location, not the house.
Am I required to maintain my rural address sign? Yes, to help responders find you in an emergency, ordinance requires rural address signs to be located adjacent to your driveway. If you have any additional questions, please reach out to your local Land Services Office or the non-emergency number to your local 911 Center.
In emergencies, every moment counts, and the ability of first responders to locate your address quickly is absolutely critical. It’s a simple yet impactful step towards ensuring the safety and well-being of yourself and your loved ones. So take the initiative today to make your address visible, it could make all the difference in an emergency.
Source: (OnSceneALERT.com)
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Incident Number
4-0220-7501
Alert Type
Preparedness Article
Incident Type
Information Only
Incident Occurred
February 20 2024
Alert Posted
February 20 2024
Location
N/A
END OF ALERT
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