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Orange County Fire Rescue Department. Hydrant Update December 16, 2008. Presentation Outline. Background Hydrant Program Future Activities Summary. Presentation Outline. Background Hydrant Program Future Activities Summary. Background. Fire operations depend on sustained water supply
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Orange County Fire Rescue Department Hydrant Update December 16, 2008
Presentation Outline Background Hydrant Program Future Activities Summary
Presentation Outline Background Hydrant Program Future Activities Summary
Background Fire operations depend on sustained water supply Engines carry water 750 gallons 2-7 minute supply Engines have 1,200 feet of supply hose
Background Fires larger than a single room require an external water supply 3 Key Options Hydrant Static Water Supply Tanker Operation
Background Hydrants Sustained high volume supply Reliable Rapid set up
Background Static Water Supply Ponds, Lakes, Swimming Pools, Storage Tanks May deliver high volume, but total quantity can be limited Reliability can change with the season
Background Tanker Operations Tanker carries 2,500-3,500 gallons OCFR maintains 5 tankers 3 of the 5 are staffed
Background Tanker Operations Water hauled to the scene Difficult to maintain high volume flow Relies on moving vehicles
Background Water Supply Affects Property Insurance Rates Goal: Hydrant within 1,000 feet Static water supply may count Lack of water supply may greatly increase rates
Background Public Hydrant On public property Utility companies required to test and maintain Private Hydrant On privately owned property Malls, condos, apartments Private owners required to test and maintain Was difficult to confirm compliance
Background January 20, 2006 House fire with fatality Nonfunctioning private hydrant Fire Rescue examined hydrant program
Background Several Issues Raised Private hydrant testing Fire Department notification of new hydrants GIS location inaccurate
Background State Law governing the inspection of hydrants State Statute 633.082 Hydrants added July 01, 2006 Requires Annual Testing and Inspection by licensed contractor or local governments. Affects both public and private hydrants
Presentation Outline Background Hydrant Program Future Activities Summary
Hydrant Program Fire Rescue initiated a two phase program: Phase One: Locate Record Test & Inspect ALL hydrants in unincorporated Orange County
Hydrant Program Hydrant Program Phase Two: Create a system to track the installation & repair of hydrants within all utilities and private owners Inspect each hydrant twice per year to ensure reliability Once by utility/owner, once by Fire Rescue
Hydrant Program Hydrant Program Staffing Program Manager Part time Temporary data entry employee Expires 12/08 Fire Inspector to track private hydrant inspections In house
Hydrant Program Hydrant Program Staffing Coordinated with ISS to create Hydrant Information Database In house 4 Firefighters on overtime to locate & GPS hydrants Scaled back to 2 OT firefighters and 2 light duty following tax reform
Hydrant Program Hydrant Program Status Hydrants processed: Public hydrants- 15,890 Private hydrants- 6,851 _____________________ Total: 22,741 Over 2,000 hydrant issues identified & repaired
Hydrant Program Challenges There are 33 water utilities in Orange County Different inspection programs, records, maps, and tracking systems
Hydrant Program Program Costs to Date Equipment: $16,483 GPS Project Staffing: $116,150 OFM Staffing: $170,089 ________ Total: $302,722 Approximately $13.30/hydrant
Presentation Outline Background Hydrant Program Future Activities Summary
Future Activities Future Hydrant Program Activities Firefighters will conduct ongoing annual inspections on public hydrants Fire Marshal will monitor private hydrant inspections
Future Activities Future Hydrant Program Activities Hydrant team will indentify, GPS, and record changes in hydrant inventory
Presentation Outline Background Hydrant Program Future Activities Summary
Summary • Fire Rescue has a successful hydrant program • Identified all hydrants in Unincorporated Orange County • Recorded accurate GPS locations • Ensured all hydrants are tested annually • Established close relationship with 33 utility companies • Fire Rescue will maintain this program into the future
Summary • A separate Hydrant Ordinance is not required • Orange County already has enforcement authority through State Statute 633.082
Orange County Fire Rescue Department Hydrant Update December 16, 2008