The City of Apalachicola has decided to hire a company out of New Jersey to provide an independent assessment of the city’s fire protection system, especially the fire hydrants.
City officials say the study is necessary after a February 8th fire that destroyed the old Wright residence on 16th street in Apalachicola. While firefighters were fighting the blaze they discovered that some of the hydrants in the city are not connected.
Apalachicola Fire Chief George Watkins expressed surprised when he learned that at least five fire hydrants in the city have been disconnected by city staff and rendered inoperable for over a year leading up to the blaze that destroyed the old Wright residence. Mayor Van Johnson said he’s afraid the five hydrants the city knows about may be the tip of the iceberg.
During a special meeting called by the Mayor, City Administrator Betty Taylor-Webb was directed by the City Commission to “proceed with haste” in arranging for an independent study of the City’s fire hydrants by Insurance Services Office Headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Mayor Johnson said he wants the study done by the next City Commission meeting on March 2nd. The cost for the study is not yet known, but will most likely be paid for from the City’s reserve fund.
http://www.oysterradio.com
e-mail manager@oysterradio.com with comments
No comments:
Post a Comment