Can You Be Found in an Emergency?
What’s Your address?
One of the questions that is asked when you call “9-1-1” for assistance is: “What is your address?” Many addresses in our area require that the caller give 911 detailed information on how to find their driveway or access road in order for emergency responders to provide rapid assistance. Instructions like, “Take the third driveway from the intersection and turn right and then go to the second left and we live in the blue house.”
TIPS: Every home should have a visible address that can be seen from the street, day or night. If you don’t have a visible address, the fire department, visitors, delivery companies and many more may not be able to find you quickly. Here are some quick tips on a good home address:
- Numbers: Your address just needs to be the numbers to your address, not the street name.
- Colors: Ensure the address numbers are of a contrasting color to their background. Black letters and dark paint don’t stand out very well. Dark on light or light on dark. Gold metal letters can be hard to see on light to medium colored back grounds.
- Size of the numbers: A minimum size should be 4 inch letters with 1/2 inch brush stroke. But the further away from the street your home is located, the larger the numbers should be on your home so they can be easily seen from the street.
- Location: Should be visible from the street at all times, not behind brush, fences or large vehicles. If any of those are the way. Locate the address a sign post or mailbox instead of the side of the home.
- Lighting: A good idea if you live in a dark neighborhood would be to put the address where light can hit it at night or add a light to the numbers.
- Long or split driveway: With a long driveway, the address numbers should be at the street so emergency responders can find your driveway and then your home. If you have a shared driveway, you may put both addresses at the end and then one for each home where the driveway splits.
Deschutes County Rural Fire District #2 makes available 6″ x 13″ reflective address signs and mounting post to all interested property owners of the fire district. These signs are installed at the beginning of the driveway or common access road to properly identify your residence from the street. If the common access serves several homes, it may be necessary to place additional signs to clarify the entrance to your home.
Our goal is to have LEGIBLE and VISIBLE addresses. To achieve this goal, we ask for your assistance. Please print out our application form, fill it out completely including a sketch of the property and return it, along with $25.00 for each sign ordered to: DCRFPD #2, 1212 SW Simpson Ave, Bend, Oregon 97702. Be sure to include any needed sketches of the property and any desired sign locations.
Location: We will attempt to place signs in consistent locations, to allow for easy identification of your property. Variations may occur due to underground utilities and landscaping.
Mailbox: Your sign may be attached to your mailbox, provided that it is located on the right side of your driveway as you view it from the street. Mailbox mounting brackets are available at no additional cost.
Address Changes: Occasionally it is necessary to change your address or road name for clarity and constancy. Deschutes County Rural Fire District #2 assumes no responsibility in assigning or changing address numbers. Contact Deschutes County Community Development – Address Coordinator at 541-388-6575.
For more address sign information contact 541-322-6300.