E-911 Address System

All citizens are now encouraged to use their respective E-911 address instead of the old route number. If you are in need of a house marker or have questions or concerns about the new system, please contact Kevin Flippen, E-911 Coordinator.

Frequently Asked Questions About E-911

WHAT IS E9-1-1?    9-1-1 is a lifesaving emergency notification network in which the caller is identified by AMI (automatic number identifier) and ALI(automatic location identifier). This information is automatically displayed on the dispatchers computer screen at the time the emergency call is answered at the dispatch center. The caller is required to only dial 3 numbers 9-1-1 to be connected to the PSAP (public safety answering point). 9-1-1 is a nationally known emergency notification number.
WHAT DOES THE E STAND FOR? Enhanced- this means the dispatcher gets address '     information as well as phone number information when you dial 9-1-1.
WHY DO WE NEED THAT HERE? Senate bill 1 48 passed the Virginia general assembly during its 2000 session. The law mandates that every county, city and town in Virginia shall be operating an E9-1-1 system by July 1, 2003. Currently a dispatcher will receive an emergency call and may be on the line with the caller from 1-5 minutes attempting to determine the location. Many times the directions are inaccurate, thus increasing the response time of law enforcement, fire or rescue personnel. 9-1-1 is a lifesaving emergency notification network in which the caller is identified by ANI (automatic number identifier) and ALI (automatic location identifier). The caller is required to only dial 3 numbers 9-1-1 to be connected to the PSAP (public safety answering point). 9-1-1 is a nationally known emergency notification number. Many times travelers or visitors may attempt to report an emergency. If we did not have 9-1-1, valuable time would be lost trying to determine what the emergency number was.
WILL MY ADDRESS CHANGE? An evaluation of existing addresses is occurring, however most addresses in the county will change. Rural route addressing, such as Route 3 Box 485 will no longer be utilized. 9-1-1 addressing will consist of a street name and house number being assigned. In areas where there are already street names and numbers, a verification process will occur to insure accuracy of the addressing and insure that there are not any duplicate road names. This evaluation will be completed before the address conversion takes place and will be handled by the re-addressing consulting firm.
WHY DOES A ROAD HAVE TO HAVE A NAME? The name assigns a specific name to a specific road which is used to identify your general location in the county. Your house number on that named road identifies your specific location on that road. Many times a caller is unable to give directions to their home or is unable to remember their road number in time of emergency.
WHAT WILL MY ADDRESS BE? Your new 9-1-1 address will consist of a house number and street name. You will be notified of what your new address is and will receive a packet containing your new house numbers, address labels, and a list of suggested people you should notify about your address change.
HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN MY ADDRESS CHANGES? The E9-1-1 department will notify you of what your new address is and when to start using your new address.
WILL I STILL BE ABLE TO GET MAIL AT MY POST OFFICE BOX? Yes, if you choose to keep your post office box for your mailing address that is ok. You will still get a new 9-1-1 address for you house, and you will still be require to post your house number on your house.
WILL I HAVE TO PUT MY NEW ADDRESS ON MY MAILBOX? Yes, the postal service needs to be able to find your mailbox.
WILL I HAVE TO PUT MY NEW ADDRESS ON MY HOUSE? Yes, you will be required to put your house number on your house. The E9-1-1 department will provide you with a set of house numbers to put on your house when you are notified of your new address.
YOU CAN'T SEE MY HOUSE FROM THE ROAD, HOW WILL RESPONDER FIND ME? You will still be required to put your house number on your house and post your house number at the end of the driveway.
WHAT IS MY ROAD NAME? Most public road names have been adopted by the board of supervisors. You may obtain road name information by calling the Buckingham County E9-1-1 department at 969-7734.
I LIVE ON A PRIVATE ROAD, WILL MY ADDRESS CHANGE? Yes, most all addresses in the county will change. There is a possibility that some addresses inside town limits may not change. When the 9-1-1 system is complete there will no longer be any route /box address left in the county.
WHAT'S THE NUMBER FOR 9-1-1? 9-1-1
WHO ANSWERS THE CALLS AT 9-1-1? The 9-1-1 phone system will connect you to the dispatchers currently at Buckingham County Sheriff’s Office.
WILL WE HAVE IMPROVED RESCUE/FIRE /POLICE RESPONSE WHEN 9-1-1 GOES INTO EFFECT? Rescue/ fire / police services are the responsibility of the responding agencies. Dialing 9-1-1 expedites the answering of the call and provides mapping to locate the emergency.
CAN YOU USE SOME OF THAT MONEY TO PAY THE RESCUE SQUAD/FIRE DEPARTMENTS?   No. The code is specific on the use of the funds.
WILL I HAVE TO CHANGE MY DRIVERS LICENSE AFTER MY ADDRESS CHANGES? Yes, the department of motor vehicles requires that you notify them when your address changes.
CAN I KEEP MY OLD ADDRESS? If you currently have a post office box for your mailing address you may retain that address as your mailing address, but you will also still receive a 9-1-1 address consisting of a house number and street name. If you live inside a town boundary whether your address will change will be determined by the re­addressing consultant. If it is determined that your address needs to change to be compatible with the E9-1-1 system, then your address will change.
WHO CAN I CALL IF I HAVE A QUESTION? If you have a question regarding your address, please contact the Emergency Services Department at 434.969.7734 or email kflippen@buckinghamcounty.virginia.gov.
I AM MOVING TO BUCKINGHAM COUNTY AND I NEED AN ADDRESS, WHO DO I CONTACT? Please contact the Emergency Services Department at 434.969.7734 or email kflippen@buckinghamcounty.virginia.gov.
I AM BUILDING A HOUSE IN BUCKINGHAM COUNTY, HOW DO I GET AN ADDRESS SO THAT I CAN HAVE MY POWER TURNED ON? If you are building a new home or setting up a new trailer or double wide home in Buckingham County you should contact the Emergency Services Office at 434.969.7734 or email kflippen@buckinghamcounty.virginia.gov.
I LIVE IN AN APARTMENT COMPLEX; WILL I STILL HAVE A STREET ADDRESS AND APARTMENT NUMBER? Yes, apartment complexes will be addressed with a house number, street name, and unit number.
WILL I USE MY 911 ADDRESS TO RECIEVE MAIL? If you do not choose to receive mail at a post office then you will use your E-911 address as your mailing address.

Emergency Operations Plan

The County is currently revising the Emergency Operations Plan. If an emergency arises where citizens' well-being is at risk, refer to local media such as: 95.7 WFLO FM, 105.3 WBNN FM, NBC 12, NBC 29, ABC 8, and other sources of media. Also check the County Website Homepage for updates.

Inclement Weather Notification

If inclement weather strikes, please refer to this website, www.buckinghamcountyva.org for updates on weather and what to do, depending on the situation. Also refer to local media sources such as NBC 12, NBC 29, ABC 8, 95.7 WFLO FM, 150.3 WBNN FM, and other sources of local information. The County is currently considering purchasing a system that would phone and/or text message citizens in specific area if they are in danger due to emergency or other hazardous situations.

Contact

If you have any questions about how the county handles emergency situations, E-911 addresses and how they are used, or any other emergency services related information, contact Kevin Flippen at 434.969.7734 or email kflippen@buckinghamcounty.virginia.gov.

County Rescue and Fire

Buckingham County has extensive fire department and rescue squad services, staffed by a dedicated group of volunteers. Buckingham County also has a first-respoder team implemented for designated situations. Buckingham County has four fire departments and three rescue squad buildings that are used in emergencies. Each fire and rescue station has a chief and a crew captain, respectively. For more information on the County Rescue System, visit http://www.bcvrs.org/. A fire department website is being developed.