Each and every day, hundreds of paramedics provide life-saving care to patients in various communities across Nova Scotia.
Ensuring care is available 24/7, ambulances and their crews provide coverage and care wherever it may be needed, even in communities outside their posted shifts.
EHS Paramedics respond to provide aid to patients at their homes daily. Having your civic sign displayed makes finding you easier, quicker and can make a difference in the event of a medical emergency.
Having civic signs displayed in the community makes emergency health services jobs safer and easier when they are called.
There are times when long driveways lead well off the road, homes are not visible and callers are not available to pinpoint the location. The lack of a civic address or improperly displayed civic signs can cost vital seconds in the event of an emergency.
Even when a civic address does not appear, paramedics use tablets on board to help narrow down a location. This tool is not always reliable with inadequate cell coverage, making civic signs the most reliable.
In Nova Scotia, it is the responsibility of the property owner to obtain and display their civic address, to ensure they can be easily located.
It’s highly recommended to have a blue and white reflective sign, to ensure your address can be located during the day and night.
Having your sign at the end of the driveway, elevated and facing all directions is crucial for emergency services to easily identify your property.
Since December, I have been engaged with educating and highlighting the importance of having signs displayed in our local communities.
Over a month ago, I highlighted the Coldbrook Lions Club and the importance of civic signs and suppliers. Highlighted the fire service and the importance of having signs displayed when they respond to emergencies, delivered letters to the Municipality of the County of Kings along with the three towns. Most recently, I touched on the importance of having civic signs displayed for police agencies.
⚠️ Please Note: Civic addresses are used each and every day for emergencies, carrier companies, delivery companies, nurses etc.
It is your responsibility to ensure you have a sign displayed easily, appropriately and maintained, including properties that are under construction.
Most Municipalities and Towns have bylaws set in place for civic signs, which can be viewed on their websites.
If you are looking for a list of civic sign suppliers, you can reach out to your town or municipality. There are a list of resources on their websites.
For additional information, such as assigning numbers or bylaws, reach out to your municipality or town who is responsible for assigning such numbers.
Adrian J.
