Community Concerns Rise Over Non-Functioning Fire Hydrants in Florence, SC

News Summary

Residents of Florence, SC express growing concerns over non-functioning fire hydrants marked with black plastic tape on Meadors Road. Both city and county officials have confirmed the issue, with a plan in place for repairs. The West Florence Fire Department has also reported challenges during a recent fire incident due to malfunctioning hydrants. City officials reassure the community that steps are being taken to ensure hydrant reliability moving forward.

Community Concerns Rise Over Non-Functioning Fire Hydrants in Florence, SC

In the heart of Florence, SC, a nagging concern has emerged among community members regarding the state of fire hydrants on Meadors Road. Locals have discovered two fire hydrants marked with black plastic tape, which signifies they are out of service. Alarmed by this situation, residents took the initiative to reach out and voice their concerns.

A portion of Meadors Road lies within the jurisdiction of Florence County, prompting locals to connect with both the city and the county for clarity on the state of these vital hydrants. It turns out that the responsibility for maintaining fire hydrants falls squarely under the purview of the City of Florence. Meanwhile, the West Florence Fire Department has documented the non-operational hydrants located specifically at 3701 and near 3500 Meadors Road, both of which are slated for repairs.

City officials are already on the case, as Florence’s city manager has confirmed their awareness of the issue. They are actively working on a plan to tackle these repairs to ensure that the hydrants are fully functional when needed. This concern has been echoed across Florence, particularly following a recent report on four more broken or non-operational fire hydrants in the Grove Park community, close to Hoffmeyer Road.

In an effort to expedite the maintenance of these hydrants, the city has issued public bids to utility contractors, eagerly anticipating the arrival of a contractor on site soon. The City of Florence is not going at it alone; they are also collaborating with the Florence County Fire/Rescue Coordinator and the Unified Fire District to improve hydrant maintenance, particularly in areas lying outside the city limits.

Recent events have raised questions about the overall functionality of fire hydrants, particularly during a fire incident on West Lake Drive. Firefighters encountered challenges when they were forced to transport water from a hydrant located three-tenths of a mile away from the blazing home, due to operational snags with a nearby hydrant. This incident highlighted the critical importance of having functioning hydrants, especially since the fire resulted in multiple family pets being lost. Fortunately, there were no reported human injuries, although the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

City officials explained that the malfunction stemmed from a connection issue with an adapter, which led to reduced water flow at a critical time. While concerns about low pressure in hydrants are valid, it’s important to note that such problems can arise due to high water demands or unexpected shortages in the system. Fortunately, city officials confirmed that the water supply was sufficient during the West Lake Drive fire, and all elevated tanks were appropriately filled.

The West Florence Fire Department performed an inspection of the hydrant involved in the incident on October 6, 2021, and reported no issues at that time. In Florence, fire hydrants are routinely inspected on a rotating basis, employing both flow and static tests to ensure reliability. Since September 2022, a total of 63 hydrants have undergone repairs or replacements after inspections found issues.

The city maintains a stock of about 80 hydrants to accommodate long lead times for inventory, indicating their strategy to prevent future outages. Repair costs for hydrants are allocated within the Utilities operating budget, covering both in-house and contracted repair services. With ongoing efforts to address these concerns, residents can remain hopeful that the city will improve the reliability of fire hydrants in Florence.

Moving forward, the community is encouraged to stay informed and proactive in addressing these issues, ensuring that Florence remains a safe place for everyone.

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HERE Resources

Smoke Testing to Begin in Florence Neighborhoods
Garage Fire Erupts at Florence Home, Thankfully No Injuries

Additional Resources

• WPDE: Community Members Raise Concerns Over Broken Fire Hydrants in Florence, SC
• WPDE: Questions About Hydrants Following Florence House Fire
• WAFF: Highlighting City of Florence’s First Black Firefighter
• Google Search: Fire Hydrants Maintenance
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Fire Hydrants