ESTEVAN - RM of Estevan residents have been dropping by the municipality's office and picking up their new civic address signs.
Keri Lukye, who works in accounts receivable for the RM and headed up this project, said they were very busy last week. People have been eagerly awaiting the chance to pick up the signs.
"There is about 450 of them [to be picked up]," said Lukye.
In the first few days, about 20-25 signs were distributed, she said.
The primary beneficiary of this effort will be emergency services, as it will be easier for them to locate a residence.
"Sask. Public Safety Agency has been co-ordinating this through the RMs throughout the province, in order to better provide emergency services, whether it be fire or police or EMS," said Lukye. "If there are four houses on a quarter-section parcel, how are crews supposed to know which residence it is without an identified access point?"
She predicted it would take minutes off of their response time, which would make a big difference.
The signs, which have the address and the range road, are supposed to be placed at a laneway or an access point so that they're visible for approaching vehicles.
Lukye said they shouldn't be on the front of the house.
"They're given one sign, but it's double sided, so you'll be able to see it coming from either direction," said Lukye.
The RM has received a lot of interest about the project. Some were asking when this would actually proceed.
"There were quite a few people that were very enthusiastic about having an address sign, just for emergency service purposes only," she said.
If anybody is unable to install the sign themselves, they need to let the RM know and the RM will make arrangements on their behalf.
The RM has also had good feedback from protective services agencies and EMS crews. Lukye said she would be meeting with the emergency measures organization in September to provide a rundown on how the addresses work.
She also provided a map with the Estevan Fire Rescue Service, and they found it quite helpful.
"It's hard to keep it up to date, just because people are changing and moving, and new houses are being built, but it gives them a rough idea of who's where if they need to find them," said Lukye.
She will also provide a map for the Estevan EMS, the Estevan Police Service and the Estevan RCMP.
People can pick up the signs during regular business hours, which would be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.
