Address Signs
Making sure your address is clearly visible from the street—especially with reflective signs—can help emergency responders find your home quickly when every second counts.
Can Emergency Responders Find Your Home? One of the best ways to help them is by making sure your address is easy to see from the street. When you call for help, one of the first questions you’ll be asked is, “What’s your address?” In an emergency, every second counts. If your home is hard to find, it can delay help from getting to you quickly.
That’s why it’s so important to have a clear, easy-to-read address sign that can be seen from the street—both during the day and at night.
Reflective Address Signs
Bend Fire & Rescue, in partnership with the Deschutes Rural Fire Protection District #2, offers green reflective address signs to help emergency responders quickly locate homes, businesses and properties within our ambulance service area—including parts of Bend, nearby communities and Alfalfa. These 6″ x 13″ signs are installed at the start of your driveway or shared road for maximum visibility.
If you live outside our service area (such as Bend, 97707), please contact your local fire department for similar services.
How to Order
- Print and Fill Out the Application Form
Include a sketch of your property and where you’d like the sign placed. - Include Payment
Each sign costs $25. This covers the sign, post, and installation. Cash or check is accepted. Make checks payable to DCRFPD #2 - Mail Everything To:
DCRFPD #2
1212 SW Simpson Ave.
Bend, Oregon 97702
We’ll check for underground utilities before installing your sign to make sure everything is safe.
Tips for a Great Address Sign
Want to create your own address sign? Here are some helpful tips to make sure your address is easy to spot:
- Use Just the Numbers: You only need the numbers of your address—not the street name.
- Choose the Right Colors: Pick numbers that stand out against the background. For example, black numbers on a dark wall are hard to see. Gold numbers can also be tricky on light-colored walls.
- Make It Big Enough: Your numbers should be at least 4 inches tall with a thick stroke. If your house is far from the road, go even bigger.
- Place It Where It’s Visible: Don’t hide your address behind bushes, fences, or parked cars. If needed, put it on a post or your mailbox instead of the house.
- Light It Up: If your street is dark at night, make sure your address is lit or placed where a light can shine on it.
- Long or Shared Driveways: If your driveway is long or shared with others, put the address sign at the street and again where the driveway splits.
A Few More Things
- Mailbox Option: If your mailbox is on the right side of your driveway (as seen from the street), we can attach the sign there. We’ll provide the bracket for free.
- Address Changes: Sometimes addresses or road names need to be updated. If that happens, contact Deschutes County Community Development at 541-388-6575.
- Questions? Call us at 541-322-6386.
Finding Your Fire Department Coverage Area
To find out which fire department covers your home, visit the Deschutes County Dial website. Enter your address, open the interactive map, and turn on the “Fire” layer under Tax Districts.
Note: If your zip code is 97707, you’re actually in the LaPine Fire District’s area. Visit their website for more info on services and burning rules.