By JESSE GRAHAM
REMOTE and rural properties in the Yarra Valley will be easier to find for emergency services, with the Rotary Club of Healesville rolling out its initiative for reflective house numbers.
The Rotary Club is now selling reflective property number posts around town, in a push with emergency services to make more homes identifiable when disaster strikes.
Rotarian, Don MacDonald, said that samples of the posts could be seen at the Lions Den Op Shop, the Healesville Community Link, Black Spur Nursery and Healesville Stockfeeds.
He said the posts were made to order, and featured reflective house numbers that could be seen by traffic in both directions and by vehicles at night.
The Mail reported last year that the club had been approached by emergency services groups, including Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police, about being unable to identify unmarked properties, particularly in the less built-up areas of towns.
“Being able to quickly locate property in an emergency may mean the difference between life and death,” Mr MacDonald said.
“Help emergency services to help you.”
Healesville Police Leading Senior Constable, Chris Hickey, said not being able to find houses easily was “a big bugbear” for police officers.
“I say to people, when I go to their address, whether it’s in a suburban street or one of our more rural addresses, ‘We had trouble finding your address’,” he said.
“Police, predominantly, won’t be saving your life – but definitely the ambulance, you want them there without them driving up and down the street.”
Ambulance Victoria acting Healesville team manager, Tony Forder, said having easy-to-see house numbers was “a simple thing that can make such a difference” in an emergency.
“We want to get to you as quickly as possible, and having your home clearly marked with a number makes a massive difference,” Mr Forder said.
“Some houses don’t have letterboxes that display street numbers. It would be so helpful if those homes ensured they had their number somewhere that is easily read.
“Wherever possible, send someone outside to wave us down and take us directly to where the patient is, and also lock up any pets before paramedics arrive.”
The post, with the numbers of the property, cost $30, and can be ordered by calling Bruce on 5962 5755.
Mr MacDonald said Rotarians were able to install the posts for pensioners or people living with a disability at no extra cost.
