Chesterfield Inlet (Feb 23/05) - Chesterfield Inlet's number finally came up.

The hamlet is installing an official numbering system to improve the response time of emergency vehicles.

RCMP Const. Allan Nickersondisplays the new numbering signs being put in place in Chesterfield Inlet. - photo courtesy of Allan Nickerson

RCMP Const. Allan Nickerson approached Chester SAO Roy Mullins about organizing the numbering system in the community almost a year ago.

Nickerson says the highly-reflective numbers will help emergency services find the correct building in a hurry when answering a call.

"The town's system never followed any organized method before, and some buildings had no numbers on them at all," says Nickerson.

"Some residents didn't even know their own house number, which made the whole idea of finding the correct building in a hurry very difficult."

The hamlet selected a system suggested by senior community planner Robert Chappel of Rankin Inlet.

The signs are painted blue on a thin sheet of aluminum, with numbers made of 3M reflective tape.

The sturdy tape is able to withstand numerous Arctic winters, unlike wooden signs of the past.

"We have already had calls where the numbers came in handy, so it was worth the time and effort of everyone involved to make this happen."

The total cost for the 223 numbered signs was $919, including shipping.

Nickerson says the new system and easy-to-see signs will prove themselves to be invaluable, due to the constant rotation of new faces in and out of the community.

"In time, there won't be any more need to memorize places or knock on someone's door to find the right address.

"But, the most important point is that there will be less confusion and a quicker response time for all emergency services."

Chester resident Bernie Putulik says the new system is a definite improvement over the way things were done in the past.

"I'm happy to see the numbering system going in place because it's a lot better than the one we have right now," says Putulik.

"It makes it easier for the RCMP to locate the right place."