Province Maps Everyone’s Address

?Service N.S./Municipal Relations--Province Maps Everyone’s Address

Ambulances and other emergency vehicles will have an easier time responding to distress calls, thanks to a $3.6-million investment announced by the provincial government Thursday afternoon at the Amherst Fire Hall.

The Civic Address Project, a three-year undertaking by Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, will map every road and civic address in the province. Starting with Cumberland County and then advancing county by county, the department will develop digital maps that will be used by emergency-service responders and other provincial and municipal agencies.

"We are honouring our commitment to make Nova Scotia a better place to live and to work," said Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. "This project will benefit every Nova Scotian, regardless of where they live in the province."

The minister noted that Amherst area businesses have already benefited from the project. Two local firms -- Rayworth and Roberts, and Alt Mapping -- are involved. Truck signs that will be used by survey crews across the province were also made by an Amherst firm.

Since mid-January, survey crews have travelled Cumberland County, noting properties with posted civic-address numbers. In some cases, municipalities have civic-address information that can be used as a starting point. In other municipalities, the project will start from scratch.

If a civic address is not already on record, the survey crew will use satellite signals from the Global Positioning System (GPS) and a rangefinder to calculate geographic references for an address. These references will be transferred to a computer database that will be used to plot points on a digital map.

Mr. MacIsaac explained that emergency-service responders -- fire, police and ambulance services -- will be key users of these maps. The minister explained that every second counts in a life-or- death situation, and these maps could help dispatchers give more precise directions to the response team.

"When the project is completed, we will know the precise location of every civic address, give or take a few metres," said Mr. MacIsaac. “This will be a big help for emergency dispatchers and responders alike.” He noted that some ambulances already are equipped to access the computerized maps while en route to a call.

Mr. MacIsaac said the project will receive about $600,000 a year from the E911 cost recovery program, through the Emergency Measures Organization.

"This is a co-operative effort between provincial departments and agencies, municipalities and even the federal government," said project manager Dave Steeves of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. “We have every indication that other municipalities will be just as helpful and eager to complete the process as was Cumberland County.”

Mr. Steeves explained that the Nova Scotia Electoral Office is sharing address information; Transportation and Public Works is providing geographic data and is working on related signage practices; and the federal government is involved because First Nations communities will have the option of being mapped.

Mr. MacIsaac noted that businesses may also benefit from the information. Examples of business applications include tracking delivery vehicles and planning services. Some of the cost may be recovered through licensing agreements.

The minister said municipalities have been a big ally in getting this project up and running, and their ongoing support has been much appreciated.