If you are faced with an emergency and require the assistance of firefighters or other emergency responders, easy access to your property is vital for a timely response. The following are steps that you can take to make access to your structure easier:

• If possible, widen narrow roads to allow for two-way traffic or create turnouts. This will allow for you to escape a dangerous situation while simultaneously allowing firefighting crews to access your structure.
• Clear roadsides of vegetation to create a 10 foot vegetation-free barrier on either side of the road. This will improve access for larger emergency vehicles, as well as create a fuel break to give crews an opportunity to halt the spread of fire.
• Build bridges to allow use by heavy machinery and emergency vehicles. Post bridge load limits.
• Make sure dead ends have turnarounds large enough for emergency vehicles.
• Use reflective signs with contrasting backgrounds to mark all intersections, streets, addresses, and dead ends.