October 25, 2007
County Addressing System Progressing

By Dave Maxwell

Having the County’s new 911 addressing system ready to go by the end of the year is quite likely, according to County Planning Director Clint Wertz. “By March 2008, we have to be done with it,” he said, “but I think we’re going to be able to move our time frame up.”

Wertz explained that for the better use of the nationwide Emergency 911 system, all counties in every state have to develop a countywide addressing system with a unique identifying number. Thereby, “when 911 is called for an emergency, dispatch can physically locate any given structure, primarily dwellings, with a number on a map.” By this method, emergency vehicles can be dispatched to the scene even if the caller is non-responsive.

The idea for the plan was first presented to the LC Commissioners in June. What is happening now, Clint said, is the Planning Department is deciding which of four known grids is to be used. The grids are tied to the BLM township range and section lines, but all four are just a little bit different. “We have to pick the one best for the county.”

The four existing grids are by the BLM, Nevada Department of Transportation, State Division of Water Resources, and the Southern Nevada Water Authority. When you put them together,” Wertz said, “they look very much the same. But when you get really close, the degree of difference can be up to as much as 100 feet.”

BLM has the official grid map, but Wertz said it has not been kept up to date. “They have a funding shortfall and can’t do it.” At the same time, NDOT has been able to keep their grid map current. He did not say if he knew how up-to-date the grids of the other two agencies are. Meanwhile, he and Shannon Simpson of the Planning Department are expected to make a decision this week as to which of the four grids they will use for the addressing project.

The project policy will be presented to the County Commissioners and future town hall meetings to explain what the assumptions are going to be of how addresses will be assigned in the future. “We will lay down a really fine grid,” said Wertz, “that gives 1000 addresses per mile and then we start giving numbers. It’s pretty straightforward once we start doing it.”

“We’re gearing up for the 2010 census,” he said, “and the addressing system is a primary component of how good a count this county will get for the census.”

At present, the only community in the county with an official addressing system is the City of Caliente. However, Wertz said, “The existing numbering system for the City of Caliente will not work with the new County addressing system. He said he plans to attend the next City Council meeting in Caliente and propose they adopt the Planning Department’s grid that will be used in Panaca. He said the Panaca grid will work very easily for the City of Caliente, “but that is all up to the Council.”

Phase II of the E911 system involves cell phones. “This is probably the most important part, long term,” Wertz said. “That is what will make cell phones functional for 911 if you are out in any given location.”

Cell phones that are less than two years old all contain a GPS tracking device. “Once a county comes up with an addressing system that meets all the standards for national safety,” he said. “A federal requirement mandates that cell phone companies have to provide a higher level of accuracy of data for the transmitter in your area.”