by Kate Heaney
THERE is confusion over which body is responsible for checking fire hydrants in Donegal are fit for purpose, it emerged at this week’s meeting of the Letterkenny Milford Municipal District meeting.
Cllr Gerry McMonagle raised the motion calling for an immediate inspection of all fire hydrants in the district to ensure they were operational.
Welcoming Fire Officer Edward Gallagher to the meeting, Cllr McMonagle asked if the blockage discovered in a fire hydrant when the fire service went to tackle a recent fire at Meadowbank has been fixed.
Mr Gallagher informed the meeting that a pro-forma notice had been submitted to Irish Water highlighting the need for the hydrant in question to be repaired.
“I am not aware if that individual fire hydrant has been fixed,” Mr Gallagher said.
Cllr McMonagle said he believed the fire service should follow up the acknowledgement received from Irish Water.
“This is a very populated area. I also know there is an issue with markings on fire hydrants and the location of them. Is there mapping of fire hydrants so the service could have an app and know exactly where they are? I have received correspondence from a company who assist with an electronic map and could provide such an app for the fire service and I have forwarded it to both bodies,” Cllr McMonagle said.
Seconding the motion Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh said he was aware of a similar issue back in July 2021 and there were concerns fire hydrants were either not working or were inaccessible.
“Three to four critical minutes can be lost by the service trying to locate another hydrant in the same area. I am told hydrants are only inspected randomly and I have heard concerns expressed by other councillors around the country on this issue. We should be highlighting this issue to the minister,” he said.
Mr Gallagher informed the meeting that all fire appliances carry a tablet on board showing the location of fire hydrants which exist.
However, he did add “there could be some gaps”.
“We need to write to Irish Water and the minister as there appears to be some discrepancy as to who is responsible for inspecting and fixing fire hydrants,” he added.
Cllr Kavanagh said that the fire service “should not be responsible for going out and inspecting fire hydrants”.
Responding to the motion the council executive stated “the responsibility for the maintenance of fire hydrants on the public water network rested with the Sanitary Authority under the Fire Services Act, 1981 and transferred to Irish Water when that body was established as the service provider. The responsibility for fire hydrants on private networks rests with the entity owning or having responsibility for the network.
“Donegal County Fire Service carry out hydrant inspections as part of an ongoing programme. Any defects found in fire hydrants during hydrant inspections or at incidents are recorded on a pro-forma Hydrant Inspection Sheet that is forwarded to Irish Water for remedial works”.
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