The fire department is offering 911 marker posts designed with highly reflective material and large numbers.
According to dispatchers and drivers of emergency vehicles, finding homes with poorly displayed house numbers, homes off of rural streets and densely packed houses at night can delay the arrival of help.
“Everybody thinks their mailbox numbers are efficient, but they aren’t,” said Jonathan Pressley, a Gordon County firefighter. “They might not be reflective, or they might be too small.”
Pressley suggested the idea to the department after doing it at his previous fire department.
“I did it previously at another department when I used to work there, and I noticed we needed them here,” said Pressley.
Lt. Dotti Payne, also with the Gordon County Fire Department, is enthusiastic about the idea. “I think it is a fantastic idea,” said Payne. “Anything that will help us locate our citizens faster in any type of emergency is a great idea.”
Other communities have passed or started enforcing ordinances that require address numbers of certain types and sizes.
In Union County, there is an ordinance that each driveway has a 911 marker. According to Lt. Damon Hood with the Union County Fire Department, the County furnishes the markers and puts them out at every address.
Union County put their markers out a year ago. “It was dangerous before, these markers cut our response time by a lot,” said Hood. “They are highly visible and done by mileage so you know exactly which block a house is on.”
Macintosh County and Effingham County also have programs to help distribute 911 markers.
For a tax deductible $20 donation, residents can receive a marker post with numbers and the fire department will come to houses to install the posts.
The Gordon County Fire Department asks the community to order marker posts by calling the fire department at 706-629-8851.
“It’s a small price when seconds count to make sure you are safe; it will help us find you,” said Hood.
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