Palm Beach County Fire Rescue - Use of Fire Hydrants Policy PDF

TO: ALL PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE PERSONNEL FROM: PATRICK J. KENNEDY FIRE RESCUE ADMINISTRATOR PREPARED BY: FIRE RESCUE PPM COMMITTEE SUBJECT: USE OF FIRE HYDRANTS PPM #:...

TO: ALL PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE PERSONNEL FROM: PATRICK J. KENNEDY FIRE RESCUE ADMINISTRATOR PREPARED BY: FIRE RESCUE PPM COMMITTEE SUBJECT: USE OF FIRE HYDRANTS PPM #: FR-B-103 ISSUE DATE EFFECTIVE DATE April 12, 2022 May 10, 2022 PURPOSE: The purpose of this policy is to provide a uniform and efficient method of reporting fire hydrants found to be missing from tracking identification program, out of service, in need of repairs, tracking repairs, reporting hydrants placed back in service and water usage. UPDATES: Future updates to this PPM are the responsibility of the Fire Marshal, Division Chief of Community Risk Reduction, in conjunction with the PPM Committee, under the authority of the Fire Rescue Administrator. AUTHORITY:  Fire Rescue Administrator SCOPE: This policy applies to all Palm Beach County Fire Rescue personnel and reservists. ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A: Fire Hydrant Status Notification POLICY: To ensure sufficient water supply for firefighting operations, reporting personnel shall complete the appropriate documentation identifying the status of hydrants within their districts. PROCEDURE: The following procedure shall be followed in regards to the status of all fire hydrants. 1. Out of Service/Non Operational Hydrants: a. In the event a fire hydrant is found to be non-operational or is reported to be out of service by a water utility, a photo of the fire hydrant and Fire Hydrant Status Notification (FR-B-103 Attachment A) shall be completed and immediately emailed to the following: i. Fire Operations Officer (FOO) ii. Fire Marshal's office ([email protected]) iii. Reporting station’s District Chief b. The Fire Marshal’s office shall forward all Fire Hydrant Status Notifications to the appropriate water utility department or persons responsible to ensure the repair is accomplished. FR-B-103/Page 1 of 3  c. The reporting individual is to cover the out of service fire hydrant with a black plastic garbage bag to ensure all other understand the fire hydrant being out of service. d. Upon the hydrant being returned to service, the Fire Marshal’s office will notify the following of the “back in service hydrant”: i. The Reporting person if applicable ii. The Fire Operations Officer iii. Reporting Station’s District Chief e. The Fire Marshal’s office shall be responsible for the tracking of the out of service/non- operational hydrant repair request (s) on an on-going basis. f. If repairs are not completed within 30 days, the matter shall be turned over to the Palm Beach County Code Enforcement Division as directed by the Fire Marshal for appropriate action. g. The Fire Operations Officer and Fire Marshal’s office shall routinely communicate in an effort to retain accurate records of hydrants out of service. 2. Fire hydrant concerns as reported by the public. a. The Fire Marshal’s office shall follow-up on all public concerns to the status of fire hydrants by taking the following actions: b. A Fire Safety Specialist or Inspector is be assigned to investigate the hydrant in question. c. Hydrants verified to found to be out of service shall be handled as described in paragraph 1 above. d. The assigned Fire Safety Specialist or Inspector shall follow-up with the customer. 3. Reporting of Fire Hydrant location discrepancy. In the event a fire hydrant is found to be in a different location than identified on a Pre-Incident Plan or other tracking system, Fire Hydrant Status Notification (FR-B-103 Attachment A) shall be completed and immediately forwarded to the following: a. Fire Operations Officer (FOO) b. Fire Marshal's office ([email protected]) c. Reporting station’s District Chief 4. Large Volume Water Requests: a. Large Scale Fire Operations: In the event a fire emergency requires additional fire flow, multiple hydrants or a boost of hydrant pressure, the Incident Commander shall direct the Emergency Operations Center “Fire Dispatch” to notify the appropriate Water Utility Company the exact location in need of additional water or pressure. b. Training Situations: When planning a training drill, which shall require the use of a hydrant and actual water flow, the Lieutenant, Operational Captain, EMS Captain or Battalion Chief shall notify the appropriate utility company prior to the exercise beginning. The officer shall give the exact location of the drill and the duration and/or approximate gallons to be used. c. Utility company contact lists. The Fire Marshal’s office shall maintain a current master list of contact numbers for all Water Utility Companies, and Drainage and Navigational Districts to be posted on the Fire Rescue Intranet page. FR-B-103/Page 2 of 3  ______________________________ PATRICK J. KENNEDY FIRE RESCUE ADMINISTRATOR Supersession History 1. PPM#FR II-04, issued 11/01/1985 2. PPM#FR II-04, issued 12/23/2011 3. PPM#FR B-101, clerical 03/01/2018 4. PPM#FR B-101, issued 4/12/2022 FR-B-103/Page 3 of 3