Free reflective address signs available to

CK residents.

Valorie Stansberry’s elderly neighbor needs medical assistance from time to time.

However, firefighters and paramedics have trouble finding her Tracyton home, so Stansberry called Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue (CKFR) to take advantage of a free service the department is currently offering CK residents.

CKFR received a $37,950 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to purchase thousands of blue, reflective address signs.

CKFR spokeswoman Theresa MacLennan said 1,400 signs have been used by CK residents, but the fire department still has more than 5,000 address signs available for the public.

“We’ve had a good impact so far, but there’s still a ways to go,” said CKFR Assistant Chief Jay Lovato.

Lovato said it is difficult for firefighters, paramedics and police officers to find residences if the addresses are not visibly posted. He said the blue, reflective address signs are great for rural areas and very helpful once the sun sets.

“The address signs are extremely beneficial in helping us find people in the middle of the night,” he said.

Stansberry said she learned CKFR was offering the address signs free-of-charge through a friend. She got nearly 25 address signs for herself and her neighbors.

“I have an 82-year-old neighbor who is just my pride and joy,” she said.

Stansberry said her 82-year-old neighbor falls from time to time and calls 911 for help. Before the address signs were posted, Stansberry said paramedics had a difficult time finding her home and she could hear the sirens outside, but they could not find the residence. She added that it was frustrating for her and her neighbor, but she knows it has to irritate the emergency workers too.

“You just need to have something so they can find you quickly,” she said.

Stansberry said just last week her neighbor called 911 for a medical emergency and the blue address signs quickly guided the paramedics to the woman’s home.

“Just driving around the community and seeing (the signs) up, I’m impressed,” Lovato said.

MacLennan said the address signs are for residences only, not businesses. CKFR recommends placing the signs perpendicular to the road so vehicle headlights reflect off the numbers, making the numbers very visible.

Stansberry said her husband made a wooden frame to place the blue address numbers on, so there is some assembly required on the part of the homeowner.

“You do have to do some work to it, but the plates are free,” she said. “It’s not like it’s super hard.”

Stansberry said she is glad she got the free address signs from CKFR and feels more at peace knowing firefighters, paramedics and police officers will be able to find her house in the event of an emergency.

“I can sleep better,” she said.

For more information about the address signs, visit CKFR’s Web site at www.ckfr.org or call (360) 447-3550. People also can stop by CKFR’s administration building at 5300 NW Newberry Hill Road in Silverdale from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.