In case of an emergency, first responders try to get there as quick as possible. However, it can become a problem when home addresses are not clear from the street.
“Every once in awhile, we might have trouble finding the exact house,” said Capt. Kevin Ivy with Lubbock Fire Rescue. “If you have about 10-15 that don’t have addresses, you’ll have to start counting and it’ll slow down your response.”
Ivy said all first responders benefit when addresses are clearly marked.
The City of Lubbock has requirements people need to follow.
“The Fire Marshal’s Office goes out and they do an inspection of it, and part of that inspection is that their address is visible from the street,” Ivy said.
LFR trains their firefighters to know the specific route to get to different areas in Lubbock.
“Once the address is given, you have to tell them how to get there. That’s part of the rookies test is every month they have to find a different section of the city, and they have to go to the specific address,” Ivy said.
However, out in the county, volunteer fire departments said this is a big issue.
“(This is a problem) in the county more than in the city,” said Chris Hixson, with the Woodrow Fire Department. “The city has ordinances where you’re supposed to have your address displayed. In the county, it’s kind of hit or miss, a lot of people have their addresses on their mailbox and a lot of people don’t.”
Captain Ivy remembers working in the county and some trouble he encountered, which is why he says it is so important to have addresses visible.
“I used to work for another service out in the county and there were many times where we could get in the general area, but out in the county the blocks vary. There are some long blocks and some short blocks,” Ivy said.
