911

Primarily, to assist emergency services in responding to emergency calls.  An E-911 address helps emergency services to locate residents.  A faster response time can make a significant difference in survival and degree of recovery.  However, E-911 location addresses are also often required for phons service, building permits, drivers license renewal, land titles, loans, mail delivery, insurance and for other purposes requiring a site location.

An E-911 address is a site location address.  An E-911 address is assigned using a mileage measurement, accurate to 1/100 of a mile, to driveway on a named road.  A 911 standardized measuring system is used.  Measurements start at the south or west end of a through road.  Driveways on the left side of the road are given odd numbers and driveways on the right side of the road are given even numbers.

People placing emergency calls often have difficulty providing their addresses.  Children, visitors, hearing or speech impaired callers, or callers in a life threatening situation, may not be able to provide the address information to dispatchers.  E-911 automatically gives the dispatchers the address, allowing them to send the appropriate fire, medical personnel, or law enforcement, even if the caller is unable to communicate.

Numbers need to be:

• Three-inches is the minimum height for residential and commercial addressing.

Guidelines for number placement:

• Numbers must be at least three feet high above street level.

• Curbside displays (on a mailbox, for example) must be visible on both sides so they can be seen by traffic traveling in either direction.

• Ideally, numbers are placed near or above the main entrance.

• Numbers must not be script.

• Numbers must be visible from the street. Any and all obstructions should be removed and numbers should be large enough to be seen clearly from the street.

• Brass numbers are not recommended because they reflect the spotlight from emergency vehicles and often don’t contrast enough to be seen easily.

• The background shall be a contrasting color so numbers can be easily read. 

• Numbers placed on or near the curb do not comply with the ordinance, because they can be hidden by leaves, snow, vehicles, and garbage cans. However, they are a good supplement to properly placed numbers on a sign or structure.

• Numbers must not be behind shrubs, trees, awnings, or other obstructions.

• Small, short metal or concrete curbside markers are not sufficient alone; however, these make excellent supplements to numbers placed on structures.

An emergency is any situation that requires immediate assistance from the police, fire department or ambulance. Examples include:

• A fire

• A crime, especially if in progress

• A car crash, especially if someone is injured

• A medical emergency, especially for symptoms that require immediate medical attention

If you’re not sure whether the situation is a true emergency, officials recommend calling 911 and letting the call-taker determine whether you need emergency help.

When you call 911, be prepared to answer the call-taker's questions, which may include:

• The location of the emergency, including the street address

• The phone number you are calling from

• The nature of the emergency

• Details about the emergency, such as a physical description of a person who may have committed a crime, a description of any fire that may be burning, or a description of injuries or symptoms being experienced by a person having a medical emergency.

Remember, the call-taker's questions are important to get the right kind of help to you quickly. Be prepared to follow any instructions the call-taker gives you. Many 911 centers can tell you exactly what to do until help arrives, such as providing step-by-step instructions to aid someone who is choking or needs first aid or CPR. Do not hang up until the call-taker instructs you to do so.