03/24/2022
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS) — The Springfield Fire Department needs everyone to check their street address numbers outside their home. They said they're having problems finding houses in case of an emergency. They said this has happened in the past and now with the warm weather, they hope everyone will take the initiative do ad the numbers.
Springfield Fire said it’s vital and can help, especially at night or in the rain. The numbers should be legible and easy to spot.
The Springfield Fire department said if not, they may be forced to take drastic measures.
"It's important to us,” said Fire Marshal Chris Richmond.
It's something small, but can make a big difference.
"In the case of a medical emergency, seconds count,” said Fire Marshal Richmond.
He said the department has trouble finding homes because of the lack of street of street addresses.
"This could mean the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. If responders can easily find your home it can only help your outcome,” said Fire Marshal Richmond. .
A quick search from Newschannel20 around a couple neighborhoods in the northeast side of Springfield, found several homes without numbers.
"It affects everything, something so small,” said one resident, Kathy Deters.
She said many homes around her don't have numbers.
"I think it would be great if everybody had numbers that were visible,” Deters said.
There are even several cases a year, where the fire department would break into the wrong home, trying to rescue someone.
"Nobody wants to have the fire department break into your house,” Deters said. “It would be a little scary, get your adrenaline going. And then you know, try to detour them to where they need to go."
Fire Marshal Richmond said it's a problem for that neighbor, the responders, and the ones in need.
"Misplaced address or it was misunderstood in some way that there was something going on in that home,” he said.
Deters said there's no excuse for why homeowners don’t have visible addresses.
"People can bleed out, you never know,” said Deters. “You never know what's going on in people's houses so when emergency squads need to get there, they need to get there."
Not having a visible street address is against a Springfield city ordinance.
It also said the numbers or addresses should contrast with the background.
