» Why do I need an E-911 address?
Primarily, to assist emergency services in responding to emergency calls. An E-911 address helps emergency services to locate residents. A faster response time can make a significant difference in survival and degree of recovery. However, E-911 location addresses are also often required for phone service, building permits, drivers license renewal, land titles, loans, mail delivery, insurance and for other purposes requiring a site location.

» What is an E-911 address?
An E-911 address is a site location address. An E-911 address is assigned using a mileage measurement, to driveways on a named road.  A 911 standardized measuring system is used. Measurements start at the south or west end of a through road. Driveways on the left side of the road are given odd numbers and driveways on the right side of the road are given even numbers.

People placing emergency calls often have difficulty providing their addresses. Children, visitors, hearing or speech impaired callers, or callers in a life threatening situation, may not be able to provide address information to dispatchers.  The E-911 telephone system automatically gives the dispatchers the address, allowing them to send the appropriate fire, medical personnel, or law enforcement, even if the caller is unable to communicate. Although the system provides an address, the dispatcher WILL ask you the address to make sure it’s correct, and also because the emergency may not be where the caller is calling from.

» PLEASE POST YOUR ADDRESS!
Many townships have enacted 911 addressing laws which require you to post your 911 address visibly.  In general house numbers should be a minimum of 3 inches and made of reflective material. If your house is set back more then 50 feet off the road or is not visible from the road, you should use a post at the end of your driveway to display your number.  Check with your municipality to find out if your requirements differ.

» Why did my street name or address change?
In 1999 Sullivan County had contracted with company to standardize the addressing throughout the county and also assign numbers to dwellings that did not have an address.  Therefore based on this standard addresses had to be reassigned to create a sequential numbering system.  In addition for safety reasons, if there were 2 roads that had the same name one of the roads had to be changed to avoid confusion in an emergency.

» Who’s in charge of assigning road names and addresses?
Road names are assigned by the individual townships.  This may because of development, or road name conflicts.  House numbers/addresses are assigned by the 911 Addressing Office office based on precise measurements to driveways.   These measurements are acquired by building plans, site visits or in some cases aerial photography (ortho-images).  You can contact the addressing office by calling (845)583-5401 or by visiting Sullivan County 911

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