Responding in a RAPID way
There is one simple request for rural people in the Hurunui District.
Please make sure you have a Rural Address Property Identification (RAPID) number plate. You will need one at the entrance to every dwelling and at any significant additional entrance such as your woolshed or dairy shed.
An easily identified rural property will greatly assist emergency service personnel to reach you or your loved one.
There are many voices behind this plea, echoed by New Zealand Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Hato Hone St John, and North Canterbury Federated Farmers.
Hurunui District Council’s RAPID Number and Vehicle Crossing Officer Liz Atkins said this joint campaign is about a stronger united voice reaching more people.
“It’s not that rural people don’t want to have a RAPID number plate, it’s that it can be a challenge to get the message heard, especially because farmers are such busy people and only so much can be achieved in one day.”
Atkins said process for obtaining a RAPID number plate is straightforward, people simply order through the Council website or call her and she will do it for you.
“We will work together with our campaign partners, they will be able to spread the message through their own networks so the importance of RAPID number plates can be heard in all corners of Hurunui.”
North Canterbury Area Operations Manager Hato Hone St John, Rob Orchard said an accurate location is vital when a call out is received, to ensure the patient can be located as quickly as possible.
“This is especially important in rural locations, as a rural address that isn’t easily identifiable can delay our response time and the patient outcome, especially if someone is in a life-threatening condition,” he said.
Ambulance communications centres have the technology to locate the caller if a mobile phone is used, but an exact address with an easily visible number on the roadside, is the best result.
“We encourage property owners to use the Rural Address Property Identification (RAPID) system numbers as it makes the property easy to identify.”
Orchard added that in the event of an emergency, having someone parked at the end of the driveway with hazard lights on is encouraged.
“If it is late at night, you can turn on all the lights in the house. It is also a good idea to trim back trees or bushes that may obscure a street-level house number, so it is more visible from the roadside.”
Assistant Commander for Fire and Emergency in the Hurunui area, Des Irving said having a RAPID number plate is helpful for locating any property, especially when there are multiple properties up one driveway.
"Easily identifiable RAPID numbers help us respond as quickly and effectively as possible.”
“Providing your RAPID number to the dispatcher and ensuring your driveway is clear of trees and hedges so our fire truck can get through also helps.”
New Zealand Police National Rural Policing Manager Inspector David Martin supports this campaign, saying RAPID numbers are important for rural residents and greatly help Police and emergency service partners in their line of work.
“Identifying accurate locations in rural settings is crucial in any emergency situation. Obtaining RAPID numbers aids in ensuring your property is easily identifiable and enables our staff and our emergency response partners to respond and coordinate incidents when called out to rural areas.”
Federated Farmers Provincial President North Canterbury Karl Dean acknowledged health and safety plans on the farm are great, but there is one more important step.
“It’s a timely reminder to make sure that when someone needs help, emergency services can find the right entrance to help.”
Hurunui’s Mayor Marie Black has been a long advocate of the RAPID numbering.
“I support the overall intent of the project to increase public awareness and enhance the ability for emergency services to find your property when under time critical moments, there is many examples when this has made a difference.”
Order your RAPID number plate before 3 November and you could win back the cost. Visit Council’s website and type RAPID in the search bar for more details on this, or contact Liz Atkins on liz.atkins@hurunui.govt.nz or 027 733 2237.
Want to have a chat with Council about RAPID number plates?
Hurunui Memorial Library (Amberley): Monday 21 October 9.30am - midday
Hawarden Community Library: Wednesday 23 October 1pm - 3.30pm
Amuri Community Library & Service Centre: Friday 25 October 10am - 12.30pm
Hanmer Springs Community Library & Service Centre: Friday 25 October 1.30pm - 3.30pm
Cheviot Community Library & Service Centre: Wednesday 30 October 1.30 pm to 3.30pm
Photo caption:
Federated Farmers Meat and Wool Vice Chair Darryn Quigley, Hato Hone St John North Canterbury Area Operations Manager Rob Orchard, Hurunui District Council’s RAPID Number and Vehicle Crossing Officer Liz Atkins, Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Amberley Volunteer Fire Brigade Hamish Ward, and acting Sergeant and relieving supervisor for Hurunui Police Brad Moore all agree that RAPID number plates on rural addresses are crucial.