DERRY City and Strabane District Council, in conjunction with the Northern Ireland emergency services, have launched a campaign to encourage householders to visibly number their homes.Council allocate all postal numbers and street names within the Derry City and Strabane District and home owners have a responsibility to ensure that properties are marked with their allocated house or building number.
Council allocated 1,080 new postal addresses last year which represented an increase from 2016 when 811 were assigned.
The campaign was launched by Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Maolíosa McHugh, at his own home in Castlederg where he urged householders to review the numbering of their home.
“I am pleased to be able to launch this important campaign which could make a lifesaving difference if the emergency services are trying to locate your home,” he said.
“I would encourage all householders to review the numbering of their home to make sure it is clearly visible and readable from the roadside and, where necessary, to number the gate of your home as well as the front door.
“When the police, fire or ambulance service are called to a property for an emergency, every second can be critical so it is imperative that they can find your home, and your neighbours’ homes, quickly and conveniently.”
Tommy Barr, Assistant Group Commander, Community Protection, NIFRS added:
“Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service welcomes this initiative. In the event of a fire or other emergency vital time is wasted if properties are not clearly numbered and we would encourage all householders to ensure that their homes can be easily located.”
Laura Coulter, Area Manager for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, also welcomed the initiative.
“When ambulance crews are called to life threatening incidents, every second counts,” she said.
“Sat Nav advances will bring us to particular roads in a quicker time but, particularly in rural areas, our crews can sometimes be delayed as they try to identify house numbers.
“We would ask that everyone supports this campaign and prominently display their house number to assist all the emergency services who may have to call to your house.
“There are other things you can do to assist us, such as waiting for us on the road, having house lights on but the singular most important thing is to number your home.”
For more information on home number and street naming contact Derry City and Strabane District Council Health and Community Development department on 028 71 253 253.
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