Wayne County 9-1-1 Addressing Office
Addressing Contacts: Angela Atchison and Milton Martin
Address: Wayne County Emergency Management Agency office, 615 Court Street, Waynesboro, MS 39367
Telephone: 601-735-2192
Email: aatchison@waynecountyms.gov
The Wayne County Emergency Management Agency-Homeland Security Office oversees the area’s 9-1-1 emergency response network and every structure (home or business) must have an assigned physical address — issued through this office — so that when 9-1-1 is called, the correct information will be given to the dispatcher to find your location on the digital map located in the Wayne County Emergency Communications Center in Waynesboro. The assigned 9-1-1 address will assist dispatchers in having the appropriate agencies to respond in a timely fashion.
All applicants seeking a new address must complete a 9-1-1 addressing application available through the Wayne County EMA-Homeland Security Office (intersection of Chickaswhay and Court streets in Waynesboro). Read and fill out the form completely and return it to the office.
If you do not know your street address, please contact the Wayne County Emergency Management Agency-Homeland Security Office to obtain it.
How to help responders find you
Address should be visible in both directions
Posting your address number on your mailbox makes it easier for responders to find you, but remember, numbers should be posted on BOTH sides of the mailbox. Emergency vehicles might not arrive from the same direction as your mail carrier. In addition to posting numbers on your mailbox, the entry to your driveway should be marked with your 9-1-1 address numbers if the mailbox sits across the road from your house.
Address should be visible in the dark
Responders might need to find you at night. Illuminate any numbers on your house at nighttime. Numbers on a mailbox or post at the end of your driveway should be reflective and on a highly contrasting background to ensure they’re easy to see at night.
Use large numbers
When creating 9-1-1 address number signs, use numbers that are at least 3 inches high.
Locate near the road
If your house is not visible from the road, it is important that you post numbers on a sign, post or pole so they can be clearly seen from the road. If you house is hidden from view at the beginning of a driveway, only posting numbers on your home does not help responders recognize where you live as they are driving by. It is not recommended that you post the number on a gate or fence at the driveway because their numbers aren’t visible when the gate is open.
Post twice on long or shared driveways
If your driveway leads to more than one address, post all numbers at the end of the driveway. Then post the correct number on each house or building.
Uncover the numbers
Remember to frequently trim any bushes, weeds, flowers or grass away from your signs to that all numbers are clearly visible. If you have hanging flowers, flags or other items on your porch that block your 9-1-1 address numbers from being seen quickly be responders, move them.
Shared mailbox areas
If your mailbox is located on a community post with other mailboxes, it is extremely important that you post your address at the end of your driveway. It is difficult for an emergency responder to know which house is yours when there are shared mailboxes in an area and no signage on your driveway to identify your house.
Test it out
Finally, drive the road to your house in both directions during the day and at night. Pretend you’ve never been to your home before, and see how quickly you can spot your 9-1-1 address numbers as your approach your driveway and then your home.