FAQ - Addressing & Street Naming
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Why is my street name being proposed for change?
In order to minimize confusion and to help expedite emergency response a standard was set that there would be no duplicate names within an EMS Ambulance service area within the borough, no names that were hard to pronounce, street names with directional connotation, no street names which are numbers or letters, and no street names which are longer than 17 characters including any spaces and the abbreviated suffix. These standards are a general practice in rural areas nationwide and have been recommended by the National Emergency Number Association (NENA).
2. Why is the suffix of my street being proposed for change?
For the initial roll out of the new addressing system the borough wants to make all road names be in compliance with code standards so we do not start out with excepts to the rules. A suffix can help citizens and emergency responses learn over time what type of street or directional alignment it will have.
3. How do I name or rename a street?
If a person owns property adjoining a street then you will need to get a major of land owners adjoining the street to sign a petition with the new proposed street name.Detailed information can be found in Borough code. Click Here to view borough code. Chapter 9.12.050 deals with renaming streets and 9.12.070 deals with unnamed streets.
4. Do I have to use the address the borough assigns?
People who want an address will need to apply for one. Addresses are only being assigned to properties with inhabited structures or businesses. The borough is not going to force people to use the addresses we assigned but your current address will not be recognized as official. Eventually, you will need to provide an officially recognized address for things like utilities, vehicle registration, voter registration, the PFD application and to the bank.
5. Why can't I use the address I already have?
The physical addresses currently in use are not officially assigned by the Borough and therefore will not be uniform with addresses the borough assigns.Some streets have been renamed and some private driveway needed to be named to meet code so the current street addresses are not correct. Also currently used addresses are not uniform because residents have made up their own addresses.
6. How do I get an address number?
When the Borough is ready it will open up an application period where residents and/or businesses who want an official physical address can apply for one to be assigned.
7. Why do I have to apply for an address?
People will need to apply for an address so the borough can verify where your driveway is and which structure on your property is your house especially if you have a long driveway.
8.I have applied for an address, now what?
The Borough will provide you a letter stating what your official addresses is and you will need to take this letter to the places where you need to update your physical address.
9. 911 Address VS Mailing Address – Do I need both?
What is the difference between a 911 address and a mailing address?
A mailing address would be how you get your mail by either a post office box or a rural route address assigned by the post office. Your 911 address is the address assigned by the borough which is associated with the physical location of your drive and house. Even if you have a post office box it is still important that your 911 address is associated with the post office box. This can be accomplished by filling out a form at your local post office.
In the event of an emergency, you should call 911. The first question they will ask you is, “what is the address of your emergency”. This is important to locate you among all of the other homes/businesses in the borough. For example, there is a variation of “Birch Road” in 2 out of the 3 ambulance service areas in the Denali Borough. So the address number, road name, and community will also be requested when you call 911.
The next step, is locating you on a map, when the dispatcher enters this information into the CAD (Computer aided dispatch) system, it will plot your 911 address on the map. If you give a bad 911 address, it will take the dispatcher additional time to locate you before they can send help!
Once you are located, the dispatcher on the phone will continue to give/receive information with you, and then another dispatcher will begin contacting emergency services over the radio to assist you. This is another important step in a quick response.
Posting your 911 address is very important for the fire/ems/rescue/police field responders to find you. As many of you are aware, GPS units are useful in getting near a location, but they are not always 100% accurate. By posting your 911 address, you will be able to provide the field responders a confirmation that they are at the correct house. Be sure when you post your 911 address it’s clear and concise and can easily be seen from the street day or night. Your 911 address should be posted at the entrance of your driveway.
Addresses are assigned based on distance. Additionally, odd numbers should be on the opposite side of the road from the even numbers. These standards also help field responders find your location in the event of an emergency. If you are unsure about your 911 address, or if you believe it to be incorrect, based on the ones around you, please contact the Planning Department at 907-683-1342 or addressing@denaliborough.com for assistance.
10. How can I find my address?
After addresses are assigned for the initial roll out there will be an interactive website linked on the borough website where addresses can also be located on a map. Stay tuned for the website to become active.