Keep Your Fire Hydrants Free of Debris and Greenery!
Joint effort by WFD, CFPUA asks homeowners to make sure hydrants on their properties are easy to access;
Another example of how “every second counts” when fighting fires
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
WFD: Wendy Giannini-King
(910) 342-2731
wendy.giannini.king@wilmingtonnc.gov
CFPUA: Mike McGill
(910) 622-8472
Mike.McGill@cfpua.org
Wilmington, NC (November 16, 2016): Now that Hurricane Matthew-related debris has been cleared away, Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) and the City of Wilmington Fire Department (WFD) are joining together to ask city residents to keep the fire hydrants in front of their homes free of everyday debris and greenery. During the last few months, WFD found multiple locations where either debris or landscaping work was located in front of fire hydrants, making them difficult to find and use. In some cases, the hydrants are completely blocked from view. (See the attached photos.)
As we all should know, every second counts when it comes to fighting fires. Barriers created by debris and vegetation are momentary or even permanent obstacles that can cost firefighters valuable time, especially at night. ALL fire hydrants should have a three-foot circle cleared around them to ensure they are accessible to fight fires. Help us, help you!
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Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) was formed by the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County to combine their water and sewer operations. It began operations on July 1, 2008. Today, the Authority serves more than 67,000 water customer accounts and more than 65,000 wastewater customer accounts. It oversees more than one thousand miles of water distribution mains and nearly one thousand miles of sewer mains. For more information, visit www.cfpua.org.