Potsdam fire chief says houses should be numbered, proposes Knox Box law

Yahoo

30-03-2025

Mar. 30—POTSDAM — The Potsdam fire chief is urging village homeowners to ensure their address numbers are clearly visible on their homes so that fire and rescue crews can more easily locate them during nighttime emergencies. He also is asking the Board of Trustees to consider a Knox Box law, which would be intended to give firefighters easy access to local businesses in the event of a fire.
In his report to the village board on March 17, Fire Chief Mark F. Bradish emphasized the importance of homes being properly numbered. He said some homes in the village require better address numbers to assist crews in finding them quickly.
Through March 15, the fire department has responded to 149 calls in 2025 so far, the chief said.
"103 of those were during the day, and 46 were at night. The calls vary. We respond to all kinds of incidents—storms, flooding, and more. When people call, we're there," according to Bradish. "One thing I'd like to mention is if residents could make their house numbers more visible. It's difficult to locate a house if we have to slow down and search for the address, especially if the numbers aren't clear. That's a big issue."
Bradish noted that some homes lack address numbers altogether, while others have numbers that are hard to read. This makes it challenging for fire crews to find the correct location, particularly in the dark.
Additionally, Bradish said he has given Administrator Gates-Shult a copy of a proposed Knox Box law that he hopes the trustees will eventually ratify.
It would require local businesses and other non-residential buildings to install a secure lock box that holds an access key for emergency situations.
Only fire department personnel would have access to the Knox Box, enabling them to obtain a key and enter a building during an emergency.
Bradish said that unlike residential buildings, where owners or occupants are typically present to allow fire crews inside, businesses often require firefighters to wait for the owner or caretaker to arrive after hours. The alternative is to force entry, which can cause unnecessary damage.
Another concern Bradish raised was that any new fire truck must be able to fit into the village's aging fire station.
"Down the road, we'll need to consider a new fire station," the chief said. "Everything is getting larger, and the current building is aging. I think it would cost more to renovate it than to build something new."
He also informed the village board that he along with Village Administrator Isabelle Gates-Shult and Village Mayor Alexandra Jacobs-Wilke are in discussions about purchasing a new fire truck for the department to replace a 1987 model.
"Typically, fire trucks last around 20 years, and we're well beyond that," the chief said. "We've been considering some options, and I brought in a representative from Rosenbauer Fire Group. He provided us with helpful guidance and advice, as well as some good financing options. Replacing a fire truck now could cost close to $1,000,000."
Bradish clarified that financing options are available.