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1. What should I say?

All you have to do is answer our questions! Stay on the phone and answer the Dispatcher's questions as calmly as you can. We will ask the following:
- The Address of the problem. We know the address of the phone, but we want to make sure the problem is at that address. If you do not know the address, be prepared to give directions or describe your location.
- The type of problem - Tell us in plain language what is happening.
- Details about the problem - The Dispatcher is trained to get more information while the emergency units are responding.

Do not call 911 if the problem is not an emergency, look up the non-emergency number in the phone book. If you call 911 for non-emergencies, someone with a real emergency might have a delay in receiving service.

2. What can I do?

You can make a real difference by helping until the emergency units arrive, and the Dispatcher will provide directions for things such as:
- Childbirth
- Choking (Heimlich maneuver)
- Controlling Bleeding
- CPR
- Other first-aid Emergency
- Rescue Breathing

Medical Dispatchers are trained to provide pre-arrival instructions to callers. Medical emergencies are the most common use of pre-arrival instructions.

Cellular phones have made it very easy for citizens to report traffic accidents and other emergencies that are not near traditional telephones.

This gets emergency assistance to victims faster, and this has saved lives. There are however, several major problems with cell phones and their impact on 911.

3. Where/how should my address be posted for responders to see?

Your address number should be posted at your driveway, visible from both directions of travel. Just because the mail carrier comes from one direction does not mean the emergency units will travel the same way.

Your address number should also be clearly posted on your home so it can be seen at night. Remember, in an emergency there is no time to waste, make your home easy to locate!

4. How are address numbers issued?

In most of St. Clair County, we use a measured system to determine your address number. For more information, access our address numbers resource.

5. How do I get a new address?

Each home and business in St. Clair County should have an address. When you move in, the address does not change. If the person you buy or rent from does not know the address, call our business office at 205-338-9911. We may determine the address over the phone if you know your new neighbor's names and addresses, and the correct road name.

If you are moving into a new structure or location, a new address number must be assigned. This requires us to drive to your new location to measure the address along the road. This will take at least 10 working days, so call as far in advance as possible. When you call 205-338-9911, tell us you need an address for a new structure. We will mail you a form to post where the structure will be so we can assign the address.

6. How are road names assigned?

St. Clair 911 has been designated as the street naming authority for St. Clair County. We also coordinate street naming with the municipalities to avoid duplicate names. New roads are normally named by the residents or by the developer of a subdivision. We check that the proposed name is not already in use, and then approve or deny the request.

To name a road after a specific person requires 100% agreement of the existing residents of the road. To select a generic street name requires 70% agreement. These same percentages are used if residents desire to change a road name.

7. Why are some driveways named?

When there are 3 or more structures with addresses on a road or driveway, we assign a name and issue address numbers using the new road name. This is done to reduce confusion when responding to emergencies, and it also helps other people find you.


We sometimes name drives that do not have three structures but there are several land-owners along the road. This provides for addresses as the property owners develop their land.

Assigning a name to a private drive does not mean the city or county will start maintaining the road or that the mail carrier will deliver mail to the houses. It is still a private road, it just has an official name.