State Proposes Address Changes In Amherst For Improved Emergency Response

The Town of Amherst is being asked to change certain road names and addresses as part of a  statewide 911 mapping project to create a more efficient emergency response system.

Representatives from the N.H. Department of Safety presented the Board of Selectmen with a list of road names and addresses they would like to see changed to fit National Emergency Number Association standards. (See full list of proposed changes in the attached PDF)

Database Administrator & Mapping Supervisor Tim Scott said that these standards are designed to eliminate confusion during emergency response calls. Issues such as similar road names, lot based addressing and numbers out of sequence can delay response time. 

His department is a few years away from completing their mapping project, which will enhance dispatch capabilities using GPS systems if a 911 caller is unable to speak. Also, a standard map will ensure that  separate emergency departments have the same information when responding to an incident.

Scott said that many of these issues appear when neighboring towns respond for support and  may not be as familiar with the the areas they respond to.

The mapping also contributes to the statewide emergency notification system that will use the data and cross reference it with cell phone numbers and locations in the area in order to notify residents of incidents happening near them and how to respond.

Amherst Fire Chief Mark Boynton said that the most important changes that need to be made are the numbering and sequence inconsistencies on certain roads. Looking for an address on one of these types roads could cause delays in response time.

Amherst Police Chief Peter Lyon said that his department has not had an issue responding to the right address, but it can be more difficult to find a home when the numbering is off. 

He said that the state’s efforts to map out every building in town and standardizing addresses are a great thing for emergency services. It helps them respond faster, as well as improve efficiency for both mutual aid and volunteers.

Selectmen expressed concern at last Monday’s meeting about changing town road names and addresses. However, they acknowledged that some of the proposals in from the N.H. Department of Safety made sense and should be looked at, such as any inconsistent numbering.

“Seconds count sometimes,” said chair Bruce Bowler. He added that small private roads with no documented names should definitely be looked at.

Scott said that 212 New Hampshire communities have already accepted proposals from his department and have made at least some changes in response. This includes surrounding towns such as Milford, Merrimack and Bedford.

The board moved to consider the proposals and explore which changes should be made to better meet emergency standards. Any future changes would come alongside notifications and public meetings before they are put into effect.

More information on New Hampshire's mapping efforts and address standardization can be found The N.H. Department of Safety website.