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 folks that it’s prepared for any emergency.
One downside was fire hydrants ran dry whereas firefighters battled the Palisades and Eaton Fires. Some crews may solely watch as homes went up in flames due to an absence of water.
Tempe issued a press release on Friday saying that Tempe Water Utilities retains tens of millions of gallons of water by means of 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 no less than as soon as each three years and examine often-used hydrants extra continuously, leaders mentioned.
Officers mentioned the Tempe Hearth Medical Rescue Division has the best attainable Insurance Service Office rating, which charges hearth departments and communities on how properly they will deal with fires.
In 1997, the division grew to become the primary internationally accredited hearth division, they usually have saved that accreditation ever since.
As of 2019, TFMR has an ISO ranking of 1, the perfect 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 Computerized Help 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 similar 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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