Vancouver Island first responders say rural addresses not visible enough

WATCH: Firefighters on Vancouver Island say hidden addresses in rural areas are putting lives at risk. Kylie Stanton explains why.

Last week, Metchosin Fire Department were called to fire and told to “take a right at the broken down wagon”.

“There is actually only two homes on this particular drive, but it appears that they’re many more, so it makes it difficult,” said Stephanie Dunlop of the Metchosin Fire Department, who said the first ambulance sped past the turnoff and had to double back minutes later.

The rural towns to the west of Victoria, small in population but large in size, are full of long winding driveways with addresses difficult to pick out from main roads. Emergency responders say finding the places they’re called to can be a common problem.

“We’d like to see it maybe built into a bylaw that requires the address signs either be lit or reflective, so they’re really visible,” says Sooke Fire Chief Steve Sorensen. His department offers homeowners such signs for $25 each.

“Anything you can do speed up our response is certainly going to be a benefit, not only to the respondents but to the property owner,” says Sorensen.