Last modified Thu., December 03, 2009 - 11:04 AM
Originally created Thursday, December 3, 2009

Improved 911 response coming to NAS Jax

By Andrew Rubio, NAVFAC Southeast Intern

At the CNRSE Regional Dispatch Center, 911 dispatchers Tammy Kane (foreground) and Judy Godley process emergency calls for both NAS Jacksonville and NS Mayport -- and dispatch appropriate police, fire and medical resources. Photo by Clark Pierce

Most 911 emergencies are time-sensitive situations with lives hanging in the balance. In "mutual aid" responses - where off-base police and fire/rescue are back-up responders for NAS Jax 911 emergencies - they may not be familiar with the on-base address system that assigns building numbers rather than a physical street address. In short, street addresses are needed so 911 callers can be quickly located using a common, systematic approach.

The NAS Jax Addressing Project was initiated in August through an open dialogue between NAS Jacksonville, the City of Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO) and various on-site contractors. The goal was to modify the on-base 911 response system to meet current standards recognized by local, state and federal agencies.

The NAS Jax Public Works Department, Commander Navy Region Southeast Regional Dispatch Center (CNRSE-RDC) and the JSO 911 Coordinator's Office worked together to: (1) assign address ranges to all street segments on the station; (2) assign names to un-named streets; and (3) assign a street address to each building and residence on base.

Each RDC dispatcher's workspace includes a flat screen geographic information monitor -- of NAS Jax in this case -- that displays the 911 emergency location, as well as the locations of police, fire and rescue units. Photo by Clark Pierce

Beginning in January, the RDC database will correlate building numbers, street addresses and phone numbers to more accurately dispatch first responders to on-base emergencies. In the event of a mutual aid situation, JSO and Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department will also be able to respond to the emergency more efficiently.

What should on-base 911 callers say when they call for help? State your emergency and your address. If you are calling from a landline and only know your building number, it will be okay for now. However, your building address is now the standard and you should learn it without delay.

When calling from a cell phone, it is vital to know your street address. There will be no new names on existing streets, only streets that previously had no name. Due to construction of new family housing, there will be some re-named streets in that area - but this will not affect anyone because the streets to be renamed are un-occupied.

How will people be notified of their new addresses? Addresses will be released through the chain of command for office settings. Base housing contractor Balfour Beatty will notify you of on-base housing addresses.

How will mailing/shipping addresses change? If you receive your office mail from the USPS via a PO Box at the base post office, there is no need to change your address. However, if you receive USPS mail or packages via UPS/FedEx at your on-base office or home - then you must use your new address, such as the following example: John Doe Bldg. ### #### Yorktown Ave. Jacksonville, FL 32212

Will my vehicle GPS navigation system or online maps show these new addresses? Yes… eventually. The City of Jacksonville online GIS (Geographic Information System) Map will show them immediately upon project completion - but each map-making company will take time to update their proprietary systems. The JSO is working with Yahoo, Google and MapQuest to inform them of the changes and facilitate updates.

How many people were involved with this project? Frank Lazzara and Don Towery, NAS Jax Public Works Department Planning; Jimmy Roark, Sarah Schneider and Andrew Rubio, all NAVFAC interns; Virginia Frederick and Tim O'Toole, JSO; Marvin Garland, Chris James and Roy Jennings, CNRSE. NAS Jax is leading the way in street addressing for the Navy. Other stations in CNRSE area of responsibility will follow our example.