Fire protection and insurance costs are concerns of most homeowners. A fire hydrant and its location have a lot to do with both. So when a fire hydrant that was hit at least two times by different vehicles disappeared, one Pace resident wondered what would happen if there were a fire on his street. Daniel Thames said about two months ago, two vehicles hit a fire hydrant on Hamilton Bridge Road at different times. The hydrant was leaning in place and eventually began “pouring water.” The hydrant was removed, leaving Thames a little unsure about the quality of fire protection on his block. “With the hydrant gone, where is the next closest, and will it affect the water pressure if the fire department responds to a fire out here?” he wanted to know. Pace Volunteer Fire Department Chief Donnie Watkins said there is nothing to worry about. If a hydrant disappears, he said, rest assured there are other hydrants close enough for fire coverage. He also said the tanker trucks used by his department carry thousands of gallons of water. Hydrant repair is the responsibility of Pace Water Systems, according to Damon Boutwell, general manager. The Pace Fire Department takes care of maintenance such as painting and the general upkeep. Pace Water customers pay an extra dollar every month for hydrant maintenance. Some of that money goes to the fire department for the maintenance; some of it goes for parts, like the ones needed to get downed fire hydrants up and operational again. Watkins said the location of hydrants is monitored and when a call is dispatched, 911 operators can locate nearest hydrants for the fire departments. “We’ve got it covered,” he said.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Fire chief: Removed hydrant no cause for concern