Aiming for a rapid response during an emergency
Ten minutes can seem a lifetime for Hanmer Springs emergency service workers Jessica Gibson and Amy MacLeod.
They believe a quick response time is vital for your life, and having a highly reflective RAPID number plate displayed clearly is a key part of this goal, especially in rural areas.
Jessica is a Prime Responder at Hanmer Springs Health Centre, Amy is a First Responder for Hato Hone St John. They’ve both experienced those dreaded moments where they cannot locate the property of the person in need, because the address is not clearly marked at the road entrance.
Jessica admitted it’s such a tense situation attending an emergency, therefore not being able to find the property is an extra stress emergency service workers would rather avoid.
For rural properties, a precisely located RAPID number plate means it can be seen from both directions of the road, day or night.
Calling an occupant at the house in question is not always possible as sometimes there is no coverage, so they continue driving until they strike luck or see someone standing on the side of the road.
“And these options can take the carer away from the patient if they have to stand on the road, or answer the phone,” said Jessica.
She added it’s also important that numbers can be seen from both directions, especially when driving in the dark or it’s an undulating or uneven-surfaced road, often the case on rural roads.
Amy has experienced not being able to find people and said it is not a nice feeling.
“The easier we can find you, the quicker we can help.”
Emergency Service personnel and locals in Hanmer Springs have banded together to remind their community how important and easy it is to get a RAPID number plate at their front gate. That’s the reflective blue number plate that sits at the entrance, can be seen day or night, and from either direction.
Harley Manion is a Hanmer Springs local who lives in the village, and has a farm south of Hanmer Springs on SH7A, its three farm entrances have different RAPID numbers.
“If you are trying to ring emergency services, the more information you can give them, the better,” said Harley.
One farm entrance is to his elderly father’s house, the other two are farm entrances.
The Chatterton River runs through the farm, so as weather patterns change throughout the year access points can change too.
He puts importance on the RAPID number plate being visible during the day or night and suggests that urban addresses should also be easy to see, always.
“The majority of the local emergency services are volunteers, we need to make their job as easy as possible.”
Jo Smith and her husband Steve live on a lifestyle block on Medway Road, just south of Hanmer Springs.
They had a RAPID number plate when they lived in Nelson and know how important it can be.
“If I had a heart attack, I’d quite like someone from emergency services to find me,” said Jo.
Last month the Smiths purchased a RAPID number plate for their Medway Road property and encourage everyone on their road to do the same.
“Like anything, it’s an individual choice, but if you had an emergency you’d want to be found.”
She said there are not many RAPID number plates on Medway Road at the moment, and many addresses are hard to read, especially at night time.
“The more RAPID number plates there are, the easier and quicker the job is for emergency services.”
Adele MacLeod is administrator at Hanmer Springs Health Centre, her message to her community about RAPID number plates is a simple one.
“Get one installed so emergency services can locate you.”
She sees first-hand too often first responders not being able to locate a property.
“It can be very much an unknown situation.”
Hurunui District Council’s Rapid Number & Vehicle Crossing Officer Liz Atkins encourages more people to get RAPID number plates.
“Many properties have lovely signage at the front gate with the correct number, but most often it’s not visible at night.”
Council’s preferred RAPID number plate is highly visible at night, therefore easier for emergency services and visitors to see.
“Every home and business should have a RAPID number plate.”
To find out more:
Contact Liz if you want to check your RAPID number, get a new RAPID number plate or want assistance ordering a RAPID number plate.
Phone 0277332237 or email liz.atkins@hurunui.govt.nz
More information on RAPID numbers and where to order a RAPID number plate can be found at www.hurunui.govt.nz. Type RAPID number into the search bar.
Photo: Hanmer Springs locals Archie Manion, 10, Harley Manion, Jonty Manion, 8, Prime Responder at Hanmer Springs Health Centre Jessica Gibson, and Hurunui District Council’s Rapid Number & Vehicle Crossing Officer Liz Atkins.
