For immediate release
Feb. 14, 2006
Contact: Anita Yoder, 530-889-4012, or
Mike Fitch, 530-886-4515

COUNTY TO HELP FUND ADDRESS, STREET SIGNS ON PRIVATE ROADS

Placer County is teaming up with the public and local fire agencies to help make sure homes on private roads are easier to find during emergencies.
The focus of the effort is to ensure that street signs clearly identify where private roads are located and code-compliant address signs clearly show where residences are to be found along private roads.
Recently, the county Board of Supervisors agreed to fund the program with $122,500 the county is scheduled to receive from the federal government. The funds will be used to subsidize the cost of street and address signs.
“Our goal is to place 3,500 address signs in our unincorporated areas of Placer County,” explained Supervisor Bruce Kranz. “These signs can make the difference between life and death if a person suffers a medical emergency like a heart attack. They will enable emergency personnel to find your home even more quickly.”
“Proper signs can significantly reduce the amount of time firefighters need to locate a house fire,” Supervisor Jim Holmes said. “Reaching the scene more quickly increases the likelihood they will be able to save a house, and keep the fire from spreading to nearby houses or forestland.”
Agencies that are interested in working with Placer County on the program include:
The Foresthill, Newcastle, Penryn, Placer Hills, Placer Consolidated, and North Lake Tahoe fire protection districts;
The Iowa Hill fire brigade and;
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, which staffs the Placer County Fire Department under contract with the county.
In the foothills, many private roads and houses located on private roads currently do not have adequate signs, making it difficult for emergency workers to quickly locate addresses.
“The address signs are an important component to reduce responses not only for fires, but, equally, for medical-aid calls,” said CDF Battalion Chief Jeff Brand.
“Signage is critical in a life-and-death situation,” added Chief Randy Smith of the Placer Consolidated Fire Protection District.
The latter emphasized that having code-compliant signs can be particularly critical during large wildfires, because fire crews from outside the area typically aren’t familiar with local private roads and may not have the most up-to-date maps.
Smith reported that many address signs along private roads are not visible at night because they are not made with reflective materials.
“Every second we delay is critical,” said Fire Chief Ian Gow of the Placer Hills Fire Protection District.
He said the lack of adequate signs on private roads is a common problem in the foothills. “The issue happens to us on a daily basis,” he explained.
In many cases, homeowners are unaware their address signs are inadequate, do now know where to purchase code-compliant signs or balk at the cost of buying approved signs.
Smith said several local fire districts have programs to help residents on private roads acquire proper signs.
For more information on the program, contact participating fire agencies