Can A Simple Reminder Letter Improve Numbering of Single-Fam

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ACE844

(Prehospital Emergency Care

Publisher: Taylor & Francis Health Sciences @ part of the Taylor & Francis Group

Issue: Volume 10, Number 2 / April-June 2006

Pages: 272 - 275

URL: Linking Options

DOI: 10.1080/10903120500541472

Can A Simple Reminder Letter Improve Numbering of Single-Family Residences?

LT Donald S. MacMillan A1, A2 and David C. Cone A1, A2

A1 Division of EMS, Section of Emergency Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT

A2 North Madison Volunteer Fire Company, Madison, CT)

Abstract:

Objective. To determine if a single mailing from the local volunteer fire department can increase the number of homes with proper, visible address numbering. Proper numbering is essential in rapidly locating a house during an emergency response. Methods. The study was conducted at a suburban/rural fire department providing EMS and fire suppression services to a 22 square mile area with residential mailboxes located at the street. During a hazard identification pre-plan tour, each house was examined and assigned a classification: (A) No number visible on the house or mailbox (improper); ( Number on only one side of the mailbox (improper); © Number on both sides or the end of the mailbox, or visible on the house (proper). The homeowners of all residences with improper numbering (A or were sent a one-page letter, discussing the need for proper numbering. The tour was repeated six weeks later to determine whether deficiencies had been corrected. It was prospectively determined that a 25% improvement was sought. Results. During the pre-plan tour, 73 houses were classified as type A, 454 as type B, and 1706 as type C. At the re-visit, 135 (26%) of the type A and B homes had been properly numbered. Correction of deficiencies was better at type A homes (37, or 51%) than at type B homes (98, or 22%) (p < 0.001 by Chi-square). Conclusion. For houses with improper numbering, a single mailing from the fire department can be effective in encouraging residents to post proper numbers.