TEMPE, AZ (AZFamily) — As wildfires burn uncontrolled in Los Angeles County and critics level fingers at authorities failures, town of Tempe needs to reassure folks 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 a scarcity of water.
Tempe issued a press release on Friday saying that Tempe Water Utilities retains tens of millions of gallons of water by way of its system always for firefighters to make use of.
“This water is in reserve – it’s not used except completely obligatory, and it’s by no means wasted,” officers stated.
Tempe has about 10,000 hearth hydrants that cowl 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 often, leaders stated.
Officers stated the Tempe Hearth Medical Rescue Division has the very best attainable Insurance Service Office rating, which charges hearth departments and communities on how nicely they will deal with fires.
In 1997, the division turned the primary internationally accredited hearth division, and so they have stored that accreditation ever since.
As of 2019, TFMR has an ISO ranking of 1, the most effective ranking within the system, which means decrease residence insurance coverage premiums.
The Tempe Hearth Medical Rescue Division additionally has weekly coaching to ensure crews are ready for any emergency, from hazardous supplies response to water rescues.
The town can also be a part of the Regional Automated Support System, a partnership among the many 23 hearth departments within the Valley. So which means the closest firefighters reply to an emergency, irrespective 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 anticipate tragedies comparable to what is going on in California, the Metropolis of Tempe has taken motion to be prepared and reactive,” officers stated.
FULL COVERAGE: Wildfires rage across Los Angeles County
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