TEMPE, AZ (AZFamily) — As wildfires burn uncontrolled in Los Angeles County and critics level fingers at authorities failures, the town of Tempe needs to reassure those that it’s prepared for any emergency.
One drawback was fire hydrants ran dry whereas firefighters battled the Palisades and Eaton Fires. Some crews might solely watch as homes went up in flames due to an absence of water.
Tempe issued an announcement on Friday saying that Tempe Water Utilities retains hundreds of thousands of gallons of water via its system always for firefighters to make use of.
“This water is in reserve – it’s not used except completely crucial, and it’s by no means wasted,” officers mentioned.
Tempe has about 10,000 hearth hydrants that cowl the town’s 40 sq. miles.
Crews do preventative upkeep on every hydrant at the very least as soon as each three years and examine often-used hydrants extra ceaselessly, leaders mentioned.
Officers mentioned the Tempe Fireplace Medical Rescue Division has the best doable Insurance Service Office rating, which charges hearth departments and communities on how effectively they’ll deal with fires.
In 1997, the division turned the primary internationally accredited hearth division, they usually have stored that accreditation ever since.
As of 2019, TFMR has an ISO ranking of 1, the very best ranking within the system, which means decrease dwelling insurance coverage premiums.
The Tempe Fireplace Medical Rescue Division additionally has weekly coaching to verify crews are ready for any emergency, from hazardous supplies response to water rescues.
Town can also be a part of the Regional Computerized Help System, a partnership among the many 23 hearth departments within the Valley. So which means the closest firefighters reply to an emergency, regardless of which metropolis it’s in.
County and state-level officers are prepared to assist if there’s a large-scale catastrophe.
“Whereas nobody can count on tragedies equivalent to what is going on in California, the Metropolis of Tempe has taken motion to be prepared and reactive,” officers mentioned.
FULL COVERAGE: Wildfires rage across Los Angeles County
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