New locator signs at beach accesses will help visitors and residents during emergencies when quick response from police, ambulance or firefighters could mean the difference between life and death.

The city has been placing the new signs at strategic locations across O'ahu and residents have reported them in Kailua, Lanikai, Waimanalo and on the North Shore.

The signs are simple. They read "Emergency Response Location" and have a locator number such as 94-B that can be given to a 911 operator. The emergency dispatchers then can quickly notify the proper agency of the exact location of the problem.

The beach right-of-way/emergency-response-location signs are being placed at 87 beach accesses maintained by the city, said Bill Brennan, city spokesman.

"Emergency Medical Services, Honolulu Fire Department and Honolulu Police Department each has these beach right of way numbers integrated into their tracking/locations system," he said. "It will help the general public to say where they are, as well as the responder to respond quicker to the correct location."

Residents and visitors praised the new effort.

Paul Kalama, who was at Lanikai Beach with his son yesterday, said the signs will make it easier for people seeking help in Lanikai. Emergency vehicles won't have to cruise the length of Lanikai beach to find the problem, and that could mean the difference between life and death, Kalama said.

"I never thought about it, but I lived here all my life and I don't even know all (the names of) these streets," he said.

The same would be true of Kailua Beach, which is even longer.

Kalama said the next thing for the city to do is educate the public about the signs. "Maybe further on down the line put the information in tourist books," he said.

North Carolina visitors Travis and Christine Sorenson, who were snorkeling at Lanikai Beach near location 93-A, said having the quick reference information was something they are used to seeing at other destinations such as Florida.

"There's no lifeguard here, so in case something happens, you can get the Emergency Medical Services or the proper person to help you," said Travis Sorenson.

Tourists and residents will be safer because of the signs, said Momi Akimseu, with the Hawai'i Tourism Authority.

"That would be beneficial to our visitors who generally don't know the area, couldn't describe where they're at," Akimseu said. "I think it's definitely the kind of thing that makes it easier, safer for our visitors as well as residents."

The project is a joint effort led by the city Emergency Services Department's Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division. The city Department of Parks and Recreation is installing the signs and the Department of Planning and Permitting contributed Global Positioning Satellite and Geographic Information Systems data.

The Honolulu Emergency Medical Services Division, Honolulu Fire Department and Honolulu Police Department played vital roles in the implementation process, said Bryan Cheplic, emergency services spokesman.

Cheplic couldn't say how much the project cost but noted that it took two years to develop.

Two signs are placed at each location, one on the street and one on the beach, he said, adding that the project is expected to be completed in two weeks.

"The city is always looking for ways to improve the health and safety of our citizens as well as visitors to O'ahu," said Mayor Mufi Hannemann. "This project ensures that all first responders will have a more efficient and effective approach to locating people who are in need of assistance."

Despite the new program, a number of beach accesses — those not maintained by the city — will not have signs. Of a dozen beach accesses in Lanikai, only three had signs yesterday.

Chris Santacroce of Kane'ohe said he had seen the signs in Waimanalo and thought they would serve tourists more than local people who probably know their communities.

"So great idea, keep up the good work," Santacroce said.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com.