“The project to implement enhanced 9-1-1 service throughout the western regions of Sequoyah County is progressing,” Slaughter said. “Recently 9-1-1 address notification letters were mailed to rural postal patrons who receive their mail from the Sallisaw Post Office. These letters tell the resident the 9-1-1 address assigned to their home or business by the local county 9-1-1 authority.”
The new addresses are part of improving 9-1-1 services to residents and businesses in central and western Sequoyah County. The eastern portion of the county, which is served by a different 9-1-1 system, already has new addresses. The new addresses are designed to better direct emergency services to a location, and align the county with the same addressing used throughout the state. As part of the system, county roads had to be numbered and road signs placed at intersections, which has been done, Slaughter said.
Slaughter said, “The county 9-1-1 authority only assigns addresses outside the city limits. The rural box number to physical address conversion information has also been provided to the Sallisaw Post Office as well as the automated mail service at the U.S. Postal Service state level.”
The new addresses are not to be used until the resident or business has been notified by the post office.
Slaughter said, “As stated and emphasized in the letter, it is important that you should not start using your 9-1-1 address as your mailing address until you are directed to do so by the post office. Using your 9-1-1 address for mail before receiving authorization from the post office may result in mail being returned. The post office will notify you when they are ready to use the 9-1-1 addresses for mail. If you have a new house or business you should get a 9-1-1 address for the structure instead of a rural box number. The Sallisaw Post Office should no longer assign new rural box numbers.”
Those who use a post office box for mail, but live or have a business in a rural area, should contact the 9-1-1 business office to learn their new address.
Slaughter said, “Residents who use post office boxes to get mail and live outside the city, and have not already been notified of their 9-1-1 address, should call (866) 841-2911 or (866) 855-3452. Even though you do not use your home or business 9-1-1 address for mail, the county still assigns a 9-1-1 address t0o your structure so emergency services can find you if there is ever a need.”
Those with questions should also call the above toll-free numbers. Residents who live within city or town limits and have an address question should contact their city or town hall for information.
