HomeMy WebLinkAboutRural Address - Help Is On the Way - But Where are You
183037 RR145, Brooks, AB T1R 1B2 Check us out on social media Phone: 403-794-2311 Fax: 855-379-2401 Email: municipalservices@newellmail.ca Web: www.countyofnewell.ab.ca
Help is on the way…..But where are you?
When you call 911 during an emergency, the first three questions asked by the dispatchers are critical to providing help
quickly and efficiently. The dispatcher will ask:
1. The precise location or address of the of the emergency.
2. The phone number you are calling from, including the area code.
3. Exactly what has occurred.
If you do not know where you are, or you do not know your address it is difficult to send help.
Rural Municipal Addresses (see sample below) are unique to residences and businesses point of access from adjacent
public roadway. Providing a 911 dispatcher with a legal land location description (ie. SW ¼ Sec. 20-18-14-W4M - County
Administration Office) doesn’t always pin point the emergency location because there could be multiple residences or
businesses on that same quarter section, or the emergency could be located anywhere on the 160 acre parcel where
multiple points of access are present. The Rural Municipal Address (ie. 183037 RR142 – also County Administration Office)
is specific and will direct emergency responders to that exact point and through a specific point of access.
Example - Rural Address Sign
Rural Municipal Address signs are very specific for emergency response and preparedness. The County of Newell
recommends that everyone, including all persons residing or occupying your residence, knows or has quick access to
knowing the Rural Municipal Address in case of an emergency. The County of Newell also encourages business owners to
ensure that their employees know the Rural Municipal Address in case of an emergency at the place of work. Having the
Rural Municipal Address written down near a phone(s) or on an emergency contact list where everyone knows where to
find it is a good idea. Rural Municipal Addresses are no different than a residence house number if you lived in a City,
Town, Hamlet or other urbanized area, just a little longer in length.
Rural Multi-Lot Subdivisions are addressed similarly though there are slight differences and include two levels of
addressing. Addresses in rural subdivisions begin with one main rural address sign, located at the entrance of subdivision,
which specifies the subdivision name and access point from the adjacent road. In addition to this a unique address has
been assigned to the residence or business (see sample below).
Example - Rural Multi-Lot Subdivision Address Sign Example – Unique Residence or Business Sign
183037 RR145, Brooks, AB T1R 1B2 Check us out on social media Phone: 403-794-2311 Fax: 855-379-2401 Email: municipalservices@newellmail.ca Web: www.countyofnewell.ab.ca
Using any other references (ie. Street names or numbers, other names or alias) than those displayed on these signs may
delay emergency services.
The County first enacted the Municipal Addressing Bylaw back in 2009. The bylaw, Bylaw #1922-18 Municipal Addressing,
regulates all municipal addressing including who is responsible for installation, where the sign or address must be
installed/displayed, and the general up keep and/or replacement thereof. As a residence or business owner you must
ensure you are abiding by this bylaw. To view the details of the bylaw please visit the County of Newell’s website at
www.countyofnewell.ab.ca.
The important information:
Knowing your Municipal Address begins with you.
Emergency services requires a specific address to pin point the emergency for dispatching purposes.
If emergency services cannot find you, they cannot help you.
Simple suggestions:
Know your actual Municipal Address, it is essential for getting emergency services to you as soon as possible.
Post Municipal Addresses of importance by every phone at home or at work in the event you need them. Most
importantly is having it nearby as recalling Municipal Addressing in a stressful situation while dialling 9-1-1 is hard
to remember. In an emergency is not the time to start looing for your address.
Familiarize yourself with how Municipal Addressing is assigned in Alberta – 2004 Alberta Municipal Affairs
Addressing Guidelines. This will help you on your travels throughout Alberta.