26642 Miller Bay Road NE     Kingston, Washington 98346   (360)297-3619   

We can't help you if we can't find you ...

Please post your address numbers!

A man lays on the ground in cardiac arrest.  He’s young, and has no history of heart disease.  His wife called 9-1-1 and started CPR immediately upon his collapse, and as fire department units speed to the scene, paramedics are hopeful that they’ll be able to resuscitate this man – if they can get to him soon enough.  Hope turns into frustration for responding crews, however, when they’re unable to locate the house down a series of unmarked driveways.  Precious minutes are lost, and the man dies.

Unfortunately, this type of story is all too common in the communities served by North Kitsap Fire & Rescue.   While it’s our responsibility to know the names and locations of roads within our service area, it is the citizen’s responsibility to post legible address numbers.  We join you in hoping that you’ll never need our emergency services.  But, in the event that you might someday make that 9-1-1 call, be prepared.  Post your address numbers, and help ensure that we’ll be there as quickly as we can when you do need us the most.

In an emergency situation, time is critical.  Use the following guidelines to make sure that your addressing helps us get to you quickly.

On your house ...

Consider the following when selecting the size, style and color of numbers for posting on or near your home:  Are the numbers visible at night? Are the numbers easy to spot when approaching the home? Can the numbers be seen from the roadway?

At driveways ...

If the home isn’t visible from the roadway, make sure that the numbers appear at the top of the driveway. The numbers posted on your mailbox usually aren’t sufficient.  Post an address sign that is readable from both directions at the top of the driveway, and if more than one house is situated down the driveway, it’s best to post ALL house numbers on one, easy-to-spot sign.  If the driveway splits (or makes a “Y”), post additional signs with arrows or directional markings that will clue responders to which driveway serves which address(es).  

We appreciate your help in making sure we can find you, and are glad to answer any questions about your addressing situation.   Don’t hesitate to call us at 297-3619.