WrightwoodCalif.com Forum
Public Forums => Disaster Awareness & CERT => Topic started by: thehallmarks on Jul 04, 05, 09:42:56 AM
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We at the Fire Safe Council would like to thank all the folks who have "adopted" a fire hyrant--past and present.
We had 37 more residents sign up for our "adopt-a-hydrant" program during Mountaineer Days. That brings our total "adopted" hyrants to 95--not bad considering we have 192 hydrants in the community. Of course, our goal is to have 100% "adoption" as soon as possible--hopefully before the next snowfall.
We had many weekenders who were willing to sign up but we suggested they just keep-an-eye on their nearest fire hydrant when they visited Wrightwood.
Having an accurate village fire hydrant chart results in some interesting observations. Importantly, we have identified where more hydrants need to be located and the FSC will be having discussions with the fire department and water company about the possibility of adding additional protection in those areas.
Interestingly, the chart also indicates where the most community support--to date--is and is not coming from. We need more "adoptees" from the LA county portion and the new Pacific Estates development. So if you know any folks in these areas please tell them about the "adopt-a-hydrant" program and if they are interested, have them contact any member of the WWFSC personally or go to our website and let us know the location of the hydrant they are interested in adopting--if it is available...
The was a lot of interest in the program shown by folks from other communities and several asked where they could get the information to get started. Of course, we suggested they start at www.wrightwoodfsc.com --our own website!!!
Again we appreciate the response and support of the community....
Remember, there is no cost to "adopt" a hydrant! It just requires a little of your time; in the summer you keep YOUR hydrant free of weeds and brush and in the winter you keep the snow cleared from around YOUR hydrant so the fire department will have no problems connecting a fire hose--the home you save might be your own!!!!
Hank Hallmark, member
Wrightwood Fire Safe Council
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We have a fire hydrant out back that we would like to sponsor. We are down near the Pacific Crest area. I tried clicking on the website and it wouldn't work. Is there another way to sign up?
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Gertie, click on the above banner that says Wrightwood Fire Safe Council next to the temperature above.
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Hi All
I was just looking at the fire evacuation map on
http://www.wrightwoodfsc.com/
and it shows Hwy 2 as an escape route to La Canada. I'd assume this road should not be considered a primary escape route until it reopens all the way though to La Canada. When we traveled though there last saturday, all we saw was one yellow on yellow "Road Closed to Glendale" sign. If there was a fire, I'd guess it would be possible for panicy people not familar with the area to miss this sign and assume that this was a safe way to proceed and wind up getting trapped at the point of the closure.
I'm new to WW so I don't know if this is a significant issue or not, but I thought I'd raise it here.
HTH
Randy
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Actually Randy, this is a concern. You should familiarize yourself with the alternate evacuation route--N4 that takes you west.
Ps. Nice to meet you at Mountaineer Days!
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(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/mtneer05/WFSC1.JPG)
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While looking at the map showing the locations of the fire hydrants in the area, I was surprised to see that there is not a fire hydrant in the area where my home is located (could not adopt a local one). I am one big block east of the fire station. On the map Hank marked three areas that are of concern because of the lack of fire hydrants (black outlined areas).
What, if anything, is being done to address the fact that some areas do not have the density of fire hydrants that others do?
Who can property owners contact with their concerns?
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Just got back from digging out my hydrant. Did everyone who adopted a hydrant make sure that theirs is Fire Department accessible?
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What's wrong with the hydrant at Oriole X Cedar? It has a plastic bag over it.
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It was so ugly the fire department decided to put a bag over it.
What's wrong with the hydrant at Oriole X Cedar? It has a plastic bag over it.
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What's wrong with the hydrant at Oriole X Cedar? It has a plastic bag over it.
I sent an email to the Water Co and this is the reply I received! "Yes there was a problem with it after we did a fire flow and it was repaired on Tuesday afternoon."
The water company and the fire dept. are "flow testing" the system. You may see other hydrants with "temporary" covers on them until they can be repaired.
The flow testing is necessary to ascertain the flow pressures which can be expected in the event the hydrant must be used in an emergency.
The "testing" should be completed by June.
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Darn crackheads will steal anything!
http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/house_6049___article.html/save_thieves.html
Do we need to start checking for this on our fire hydrants up here?
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Buster has adpoted many fire hydrants, bushes, trees along his walks and trails... sorry couldn't resist.. ;D
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Interesting story. But fire hydrants are not made of copper. They are made of brass.
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I got my workout for the day. I hope the snow plow doesn't fill it in. This mound of snow is taller than me.
(http://inlinethumb23.webshots.com/42710/2548265990029221877S600x600Q85.jpg) (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2548265990029221877xvWaXX)
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How about several "atta girls" for Cathy! :2thumbsup: :2thumbsup: :2thumbsup:
Cathy, I really appreciate your efforts as I, above all, know how much effort it takes to clear a hydrant correctly--actually you have gone "above and beyond"... ;D
Can I use a copy of this photo as an example when I send out my next "adopt-a-hydrant" email to the community? [PM me at thehallmarks@verizon.net with a copy of the photo for me to keep in my file!] ::)
Again thanks for your superb efforts!
If there is another storm and the county snowplow covers up the hydrant I would like for you to take an "after" photo so we have visual proof of the operators total disregard for the efforts of the community. ;D
Maybe we should start taking photos of the berms also--I had just finished clearing my berm when the county came by and with me standing there in my driveway, totally disregarded me and my past efforts and left another good sized berm for me to clean up! >:(
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I shoveled mine out on Thursday. Man, it would be lost forever, if it wasn't for the tall poles.
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Yes, big thanks to Cathy! That was a lot of work. Last night I jumped out of bed twice when I heard snow plows coming through. One said he was private and didn't plow the roads, the other one was just spreading cinder. This morning he said he was just scraping the ice off the road. Then I got the grader-guy. I stopped him on his way down and asked if he could not push up any berms. He said he would clear it on his last pass. I was watching him going back and forth several times and adjusting the blade and he did a really great job - on all driveways on upper East Canyon! Nothing piled up by the hydrant. Thanks grader guy!
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Are there still more hydrants that need adopting? I wonder if there are any near me . . . How would one find out?
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Are there still more hydrants that need adopting? I wonder if there are any near me . . . How would one find out?
All one has to do is call me, Hank Hallmark, at X3069 or PM me at thehallmarks@verizon.net and give me your address information. I will check the master list and if one is available it will be yours for the asking! ;D
and thanks for asking.... :2thumbsup:
Hank
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The Fenner Camp crew is going around and digging out some of un-adopted, orphaned and uncared for hydrants today.
The guard in charge told me they had a 17 man crew. They appeared happy to be out and working on repaying their debt to society.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3118/3133146877_355b668ed6.jpg)
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The "guards" are actually highly trained state fire captains. When not fighting fires, they take their crews out to do community service projects. :)
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The Fenner Camp crew is going around and digging out some of un-adopted, orphaned and uncared for hydrants today.
The guard in charge told me they had a 17 man crew. They appeared happy to be out and working on repaying their debt to society.
I heard this and while out inspecting the hydrant clearance "compliance" of the adoptees, I checked along hwy 2 and found several hydrants what were still buried.
where were they working?
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They said all over town, and that they noticed many had been cleared and were reclearing and making bigger areas.
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Dont' forget to clear your hydrants, adoptive parents..... :)
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Dont' forget to clear your hydrants, adoptive parents..... :)
Yes, please remember!
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Would be nice if the plows got within 4 feet of the hydrants! I can't do this by myself after doing my deck, it's too much for one person.
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Here is the email I sent to the "adoptive parents" this morning....
On 3/21/2011 7:51 AM, Hank Hallmark wrote:
Well, it looks like the major storm is over--there's 22" on the table on my back patio. Looking out the window of my downstairs office I see a clear sky--looking north and what I think if just wind blown snow "flurries"!
I realize most of you will be doing the same as I will and trying "vainly" to dig your driveways and cars out so you can get down the hill to work. The Hwy 2 cam shows Hwy 2 is open but the covered with snow so be care out there...
If you have time and your hydrant is close by your home I--and your neighbors--would appreciate you clearing the hydrant before you start clearing your driveway.
In any case I know it may not be a priority but please take the time to do some clearing before leaving Wrightwood--the home you save might be your own!!!
If you cannot get your adopted hydrant cleared within the next 24 hours or if you have a health or fitness condition which you are concerned about please let me know by email and either I will try to get by or I will contact the fire department or the water company.
I/we appreciate the effort you make to keep our village safe.
I apologize if you received this email in error as I haven't had time to update my list.
Hank Hallmark
member Wrightwood Fire Safe Council
Chairman of the Adopt-a-Hydrant program
760-249-3069
cell: 909-534-6745
thehallmarks@verizon.net
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Hank! You brilliant, caring, social worker of a man you! That letter raises the level of the Wrightwood consciousness....10-fold. YOU my man... you... are one of the most admirable
people I have included in my "most admirable people" file.
You are a good manager, humanitarian, and existentialist... and you live in the here and now. I know why I like you a whole lot. Its good knowing you. For what its worth from a peon like me.... Well done on that letter! Well done!
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Here's a picture of a CalFire Crew from Fenner Camp that was walking around after the blizzard digging out fire hydrants. (More information to follow.)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/Nolena/Fire%20Service/FireService001.jpg)
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One of our Scouts from Wrightwood T351 made it his Eagle project to sign up people to Adopt-A-Hydrant, for those hydrants which had not yet been adopted throughout the village. Kudos again to Zac C. for his project.
During Wildfire & Disaster Awareness Day 2009, Fenner Canyon adopted all the hydrants along Highway 2, greatly helping both the Adopt-A-Hydrant program and Zac's Eagle project.
Thank you to the folks at Fenner Canyon Camp for their continued service. They really are a credit to the community.