Collierville, TN
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Street Number Visibility is Vital for Quick Emergency Response
Can first responders find you?
When you have a moment at home, go outside your house and see if your street numbers are visible from the street.
If not, please place or replace the house numbers so first responders can find you quickly in the event of an emergency.
“More is always better if you want to have your house number displayed different ways. Your number should be clearly visible over your main entrance or somewhere higher on your house. Sometimes house numbers are hard to see on the mailbox or curb because of decorations or leaves in the street,” said Paul Witt, Chief of Fire Prevention.
If your residence or building is setback because of a long driveway, or not visible from the roadway, place additional house numbers at the end of the driveway and on your mailbox so they are visible both ways coming down the street. Do not assume a fire truck will always be approaching your residence from the direction of the firehouse. Many times, firefighters are responding to emergencies while out on the road or while returning from other emergency calls and fire apparatus may approach your house from an unexpected direction.
Please use numbers that are no less than 4 inches in height and have a contrasting color to your trim or house color. Brass numbers look great, but are very hard to see in the sunlight, and written numbers are hard to read at night. Please make sure that the numbers on your mailbox are not blocked by your mailbox flag or holiday decorations.
Pictured: This street number is a trendy design, but it is also large, under a light, and is a contrasting color from the siding making it easy to see from the street at all times of the day.
Can first responders get to you?
Long driveways and private roads need to be constructed with all-weather driving surfaces capable of supporting fire apparatus (minimum 76,000 lbs.) Driveways and private roads need to have an unobstructed width of 20 ft. and an unobstructed vertical clearance height of 14 feet.Brush, trees, stumps, rocks, tree limbs, gates, and fences too close to the roadway may prevent fire apparatus access and may damage fire apparatus. Sharp curves may not provide adequate turning radiuses for fire apparatus.
Fire Code requires that a bridge (culvert, trestle, cattle guard, etc.) required to be crossed to access residences or buildings be constructed and maintained sufficient to support the weight of fire apparatus (minimum 76,000 lbs.) Any building or structure equipped with a security gate shall be equipped with an approved fire department key access or fire box that allows entry into or onto the property. Minimum gate width shall be 20 feet horizontal and 14 feet clear vertical.
Do you need street numbers on the curb?
Occasionally there are commercial solicitors who offer to spray paint street numbers on the curb in front of your house. While there is not a Town ordinance against street numbers painted on curbs, commercial solicitors selling these services need to have a Town Solicitation Permit. Recently, there was a solicitor offering these services without a permit. As a safety measure and in compliance with the Town Solicitation Ordinance, these solicitors need to be reported to the Collierville Police Department by calling the non-emergency number: 901-853-3207.When the Fire Department was asked about a street number the curb, Chief Witt stated again “more is always better, but start with having a visible street number on your house near the main entrance.”