New North Olmsted Fire Chief Urges Residents to Improve Address Visibility

Anthony Strazzo emphasizes the importance of clearly marked mailboxes for faster emergency response times.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:08pm

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A softly blurred, atmospheric photograph of a residential street at night, with warm pools of light from streetlamps and porch lights creating a cozy, inviting scene that conveys the importance of visibility for public safety.Improved address visibility helps first responders locate homes quickly in emergencies, fostering a safer community.North Olmsted Today

In one of his first acts as the new North Olmsted Fire Chief, Anthony Strazzo is reminding residents to ensure their mailbox addresses are clearly visible, especially at night, so that firefighters and first responders can locate homes quickly in an emergency.

Why it matters

Easily identifiable addresses are crucial for public safety, allowing fire, police, and emergency medical services to respond rapidly to calls. This initiative aims to improve community engagement and provide important safety information to North Olmsted residents.

The details

Strazzo, who recently took over as North Olmsted's fire chief, said one of his top priorities is regular communication with the public on safety issues. He emphasized that if firefighters and first responders can't find an address, they can't provide the necessary assistance. The chief is urging residents to make sure their mailbox numbers are large, reflective, and visible both day and night.

  • Strazzo recently became the new North Olmsted Fire Chief, replacing the recently retired Ed Schepp.
  • Strazzo is launching this address visibility initiative as one of his first actions in his new role.

The players

Anthony Strazzo

The new North Olmsted Fire Chief who is reminding residents about the importance of clearly marked addresses.

Ed Schepp

The recently retired North Olmsted Fire Chief, whom Strazzo is replacing.

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What they’re saying

“We can't find you if we can't find your address. We're just putting that out there so that addresses are visible and we can see them not only during the day, but at night. That's so we can get to you faster.”

— Anthony Strazzo, North Olmsted Fire Chief

“I'm a firm believer in education and engagement with the public. Those safety messages are our first step, but actually we're going to be getting out there and engaging with the business community, resident groups and churches. We're just being visible in the community. Plus, we want people to engage with us so that we can provide a better service.”

— Anthony Strazzo, North Olmsted Fire Chief

What’s next

Strazzo plans to continue engaging with the North Olmsted community, including businesses, resident groups, and churches, to provide more public safety education and improve emergency response services.

The takeaway

This initiative highlights the importance of address visibility for public safety, allowing first responders to quickly locate homes in an emergency. By prioritizing community outreach and education, the new North Olmsted Fire Chief is working to improve safety and build stronger connections with residents.