Essential Service Providers Work Harmoniously to Continue to Protect Local Consumers Water Supply and Delivery a Steady Flow of Water to Fire Fires
For over a century, fire districts and water districts have worked synergistically in providing essential services to Long Islanders. If water pressure and flow is not maintained to the highest level at all times, it would compromise firefighters’ ability to hook up to fire hydrants and fight fires. Communications between member water districts of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) and local fire districts is imperative, and the most recent meeting between these two essential service providers demonstrates a dedicated commitment to the community.
During a fall 2021 NSWCA meeting, hosted by Manhasset Lakeville Water District, a presentation was led by Francis X. DeBobes, Chairman, Nassau County Fire Commission. Chairman DeBobes discussed maximizing efficiencies between fire districts and water districts and commended the 21 member districts from Nassau and Suffolk Counties for providing the more than adequate amount of water pressure and flow needed from hydrants, especially during times when water district well sites are being retrofit to treat water from emerging compounds. The 30+ year decorated veteran also expressed the importance of having residents comply with backflow testing each year to avoid an undesirable flow of water back into a home or business.
Discussions during the presentation included putting a plan together, collectively between the Nassau County Fire Commission and water suppliers to go after federal grants to provide proper funding to replace dated fire equipment and hydrants.
“Many residents may not know that most water suppliers are responsible for our fire hydrants within our neighborhoods and communities,” stated NSWCA President and Plainview Water District Commissioner Amanda Field. “Our member Districts test to ensure each hydrant holds line pressure without leaks, and we perform additional maintenance as recommended by the hydrant manufacturer. We flush our hydrants regularly so our heroic firefighters can rely on us to make sure when they connect to a hydrant, water flow will never be an issue.”
“A lot of education is being provided by water providers about their responsibilities to consumers and it’s something worth noting,” said Commissioner DeBobes. “Fire districts and water districts work hand in hand with one another and in many ways we rely on one another. A fact worth noting is response time from local water districts and local fire districts to an emergency situation can be within minutes…something we take to heart as residents rely on us each and every day.”
(Pictured Above Left to Right) John Madden, Supervising Fire Marshal, Office of the Fire Marshal Nassau County; Andrew Schmitt, Jr., Division Supervisor, Office of the Fire Marshal Nassau County; Francis X. DeBobes, Chairman, Nassau County Fire Commission; Amanda R. Field, NSWCA Board President and John F. Coumatos, NSWCA 1st Vice President during a fall 2021 NSWCA and Nassau County Fire Commission meeting and presentation.