Helping First Responders Reach Your Site

Minutes matter in an emergency. Ambulances and fire trucks lose time when they cannot find the site, the gate is locked or the road is blocked. A few simple steps let responders reach the patient fast.

• Site Managers
• Safety Leads
• Everyone

Before work begins

• Post a clear site address at the entrance, visible from the road in both directions, with large numbers. If the site has no official address, get one from the local authority or use GPS coordinates and intersections in the plan
• Give the fire department and EMS a site map with entrances, gates, hydrants, standpipes, buildings, hazards (fuel, gas, cranes) and staging areas. See Fire Department Access
• Keep a fire lane and access road at least 20 feet wide (check local code) clear of materials and parked vehicles, with a surface that holds heavy trucks and turns for large vehicles
• Install a lock box (Knox box) or give responders the gate code or key, as the local fire department advises; or ensure a person with a key is always on site
• List emergency contacts, address and directions in the emergency plan and on trailers. See Emergency Action Plans
• Keep hydrants and standpipe connections visible and unobstructed; mark them

Multiple gates and big sites

• Name or number each gate and tell dispatch which one to use based on the location of the emergency.
• Mark routes to buildings and work areas, and label buildings, floors and zones to help responders find a location quickly.
• Provide grid references or "mile marker" style signs on large linear sites such as roads and pipelines. See Remote Site Emergencies.

When you call 911

1. Give the exact address, gate and nearest cross streets or landmarks. See Calling 911 & Giving Your Location.
2. Explain what happened, how many people are hurt and any special hazards.
3. Stay on the line unless told otherwise.
4. Send a person to meet the ambulance at the gate, wearing a high-visibility vest, with the gate open and lights on at night, and guide it to the patient.
5. Clear the route and move vehicles out of the way.
6. Have someone with the patient and a first aider. See Jobsite First Aid Responders.

Practice

Do a drill with local responders. Time how long it takes to open the gate and reach the farthest work area. Fix delays and update the plan when the site layout changes.

Last updated: October 8, 2026