Can first responders find you? Here's why we have to change some addresses.
9-1-1 Addressing • January 8, 2020
We get it, updating or changing your address can be a hassle. You’ve had it for years or you just got acquainted with it after your move. It’s a small disruption that most people don’t want to deal with. And while it may seem like an inconvenience for you, it’s an even bigger problem for our first responders. If your address is not in compliance with the 911 addressing system, then it will need to be changed.
Why?
In the event of an emergency, our first responders rely on this information to effectively do their jobs. It is one of the most important pieces of information for Fire, Police, and other service entities in the protection and preservation of lives and property. GPS units are useful in getting near a location, but they are not always 100 percent accurate. How can they respond in a timely manner without the correct address?
New address request or current address verification
Making this small change won’t be as hard as it seems. Working in partnership with the state and local officials, ETCOG has been tapped as the primary planning and coordinating entity for emergency 9-1-1 communications in East Texas. Unfortunately, in order to follow program regulations, some addresses must be changed due to the sale of nearby property and the subsequent creation of a new 9-1-1 address. We understand this can be frustrating and apologize for any inconveniences.
What you will need
In order to request an address change or receive and address verification, we need the property owner to call (844) 447-6911 or visit Pineywoods911.com
and fill out the form “Request or Verify Address”. Aside from general contact information, here are a few things you will need to properly fill out the form. They are:
- County the property is in;
- City nearest the property;
- Road property is on;
- Nearest Road Intersection;
- Direction to nearest neighbor’s driveway from property driveway (North, South, East or West);
- Distance from Property Driveway to Neighbor’s Driveway (in Feet); and
- Nearest Neighbor’s Address.
For more information or assistance with changing your address, please visit Pineywoods911.com.
Mandatory Workshops Scheduled for Applicants
ETCOG announces that $3.1 million in grants from the Office of the Governor's (OOG) Public Safety Office have been awarded to East Texas jurisdictions and nonprofit organizations. These funds are aimed at enhancing public safety and supporting victims of crime. The program’s mission is to strengthen Texas communities by supporting initiatives that help victims recover and feel secure while also preventing crime through programs that: Prevent juvenile delinquency and support truancy prevention Provide services to victims of crime and address violence against women Support law enforcement and improve the criminal justice system Prevent child sex trafficking, bring justice to its perpetrators, and restore victims ETCOG's Public Safety Division assists jurisdictions in applying for these funds annually, and applications submitted for funding are ranked and scored by the ETCOG Criminal Justice Advisory Committee, which is comprised of local subject-matter experts from across the region. The following Victims of Crime Act, Justice Assistance, Violence Against Women Act, and Juvenile Assistance grants totaling $3,136,019.36 have been approved by the OOG for funding in East Texas: Victims of Crime Act Funds - $2,528,962.18 The Crime Victims Assistance Grant Program (VOCA) devotes resources to providing direct services to victims of crime to help them recover and navigate the justice system.
