For over a century, fire districts and water districts have worked synergistically in providing essential services to Long Islanders. If water pressure and flow is not maintained to the highest level at all times, it would compromise firefighters’ ability to hook up to fire hydrants and fight fires.
Realizing communications between member water districts of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association and local fire districts is imperative, NSWCA recently held a meeting with the Nassau County Fire Commission to demonstrate their dedicated commitment to the Long Island community.
Hosted by Manhasset Lakeville Water District, the NSWCA’s meeting presentation was led by Francis X. DeBobes, Nassau County Fire Commission chairman.
A 30-plus year decorated veteran, DeBobes discussed maximizing efficiencies between fire districts and water districts and commended the 21 member districts from Nassau and Suffolk Counties for providing the more than adequate amount of water pressure and flow needed from hydrants, especially during times when water district well sites are being retrofit to treat water from emerging compounds. He also expressed the importance of having residents comply with backflow testing each year to avoid an undesirable flow of water back into a home or business.
Discussions during the presentation included Commissioner-Elected Water Districts and the Nassau County Fire Commission to collectively pursue federal grants that will provide proper funding to replace dated fire equipment and hydrants.
“Many residents may not know that water suppliers are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of our fire hydrants within our neighborhoods and communities,” stated NSWCA President Amanda R. Field and Plainview Water District commissioner. “Our member Districts test to ensure each hydrant holds line pressure without leaks. We flush each hydrant regularly and we perform additional maintenance as recommended by the hydrant manufacturer. Our heroic firefighters can rely on us each time they connect to a hydrant and water flow will never be an issue.”
“A lot of education is being provided by water suppliers about their responsibilities to consumers, and it’s something worth noting,” said DeBobes. “Fire districts and water districts work hand in hand with one another and, in many ways, we rely on one another. Another fact worth noting is response time from local water districts and local fire districts to an emergency situation can be within minutes…something we take to heart each and every day.”
For more information about this topic or other related NSWCA matters, please contact Mr. Gary Cucchi with Progressive Marketing Group, Inc. at his office, (631) 756-7160, via cell, (516) 721-3709, or by email, gcucchi@pmgstrategic.com
Organized and chartered in 1981, the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) is comprised of water commissioners from 21 Nassau County and Suffolk County water districts. The NSWCA is dedicated to promoting environmental excellence and best practices as well as to maintaining the highest standards of water quality and supply.
The Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association, which serves over 620,000 people in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, sponsors regular educational meetings on topics that include the environment, security, economics, rules and regulations, among other related issues. For more information please visit, https://www.nswcawater.org/.
