By Tina Gorman, Executive Director Westfield Council On Aging
WESTFIELD – “9-1-1. What is the address of your emergency?” It is not unusual for older adults to require the services of firefighters, paramedics, or police officers. City residents should remember that in an emergency, seconds count. The faster that emergency personnel can get to the scene and assess the situation properly, the more likely that a life can be saved or a disaster averted.
Massachusetts law requires that every building in the Commonwealth, including homes, apartments, condominiums, and businesses have a number affixed to the building. The number must be large enough and situated on the building so that, to the extent practicable, it is visible from the nearest street or road providing vehicular access to the building. Addresses are entered into the electronic database for use in enhanced 9-1-1 service.
House numbers need to be at least four inches in height and facing the street. The numbers should be put under lighting and contrast with the background of the house so that they are visible at night. If the house numbers are obstructed by trees, bushes, flags, or decorative ornaments, they will not be seen by emergency personnel. In addition, numbers on the mailbox must be visible from both directions.
Script numbers or numbers that are spelled out in words may be aesthetically pleasing, but are difficult to read quickly from the street. Brass or bronze numbers are also difficult to see. Numbers that provide a color contrast with the background of the house and are located on, above, or at the side of the main entrance will be most visible from the street. Numbers placed in an obscure area in the yard, for instance on a decorative rock, will probably go unnoticed by emergency personnel.
Often when a house has been repainted or resided, the owner fails to put the numbers back on the house. It may be necessary to purchase new numbers if the color contrasting has changed and the old numbers are no longer visible.
In a crisis, the injured person, a visitor, or a grandchild may be unable to provide clear directions. Emergency personnel from a neighboring community may be unfamiliar with the targeted destination. Precious time is lost if firefighters, paramedics, or police officers drive right by the house because it is not clearly identified.
Once the house has been located by emergency personnel, it is necessary to have a clear pathway into the home as well as to the location of the victim. In the winter, sidewalks should be free of snow and ice. All doorways, hallways, and stairs should be free of clutter so that first responders can get to the victim quickly. Objects can become major obstacles in an emergency.
Emergency personnel can treat victims most effectively if they have some basic information about the person. There are two new forms available to Westfield’s older adults that can provide valuable information to first responders: the Disability Indicator Form and the Emergency Information Form. Information from these forms will be entered into the Westfield 9-1-1 dispatch system. Then if a 9-1-1 call is made, first responders will have vital information about the person in need, prior to arriving on the scene. The primary difference is that the Disability Indicator Form focuses on basic information regarding visual, hearing, mobility, speech, and cognitive disabilities and is limited to those residents with a landline. The Emergency Information Form is much broader and includes information on diagnoses, disabilities, vehicle identification, and emergency contacts. Both forms are relatively simple to complete, but assistance is available from Council On Aging staff.
Remember that in an emergency, seconds count. Emergency personnel can only be effective, if they can reach those in need and have some basic information in order to help. Factors such as darkness and poor weather conditions cannot be controlled. But preparing ahead of time with visible house numbers, a clear pathway for first responders, and vital information in the City’s 9-1-1 system can easily be done, and may be the difference between life and death.
House numbers are available through the Westfield Council On Aging and can be installed by members of the Westfield Rotary Club for those sixty and older who need visible numbers on their house. Disability Indicator and Emergency Information Forms are available at the Westfield Senior Center. For those who would like assistance completing the forms, Council On Aging staff members are available to help. Call the Senior Center at 562-6435.
