In a move that could significantly impact property insurance costs, Leon county is exploring the installation of additional fire hydrants in unincorporated areas. This initiative, spearheaded by Leon County Commissioner David O’Keefe, aims to address the concerns of residents who live more than 1,000 feet from an existing hydrant.
The lack of nearby hydrants has been a growing concern for many residents, as it directly affects their insurance premiums. Commissioner O’Keefe has taken note of these concerns and is pushing for a comprehensive study to identify the number of affected homes, their locations, and the potential costs of installing new hydrants.
Addressing the hydrant shortage
The current shortage of fire hydrants poses challenges not only for residents but also for emergency services. The Miccosukee Volunteer Fire and Rescue, for instance, faces limitations in water supply during fire responses. Chief Brian Carroll explains that the existing infrastructure, including a water tower along Crump Road, has a limited reach due to its gravity-fed system.
“Here in the Miccosukee northeast territory area, there’s a few along Crump Road, and that’s because that water tower was constructed there,” Carroll said. “It doesn’t go very far. They’re gravity-fed, so they can only go out so much from those sources.”
The role of the Tanker Task Force
To mitigate the lack of hydrants, the Miccosukee Volunteer Fire and Rescue participates in the Tanker Task Force. This collaborative effort allows volunteer agencies to request additional tankers from other agencies in Leon County, ensuring they do not run out of water during emergencies.
A map of active hydrants reveals that only two are located near the main station, more than two miles away. A third option, a re-fitted tanker serving as a refill point at the Heatherwood Station, was made possible through an Eagle Scout project.
The county will need to collaborate with Talquin and the City of Tallahassee to install additional hydrants and connect them to a water supply line. Commissioner O’Keefe acknowledges that the project will likely involve significant costs but emphasizes the importance of exploring this solution.
“It’ll be likely a significant cost, but we can’t just not take a look at it,” O’Keefe said. “We need staff to bring back ideas and to work with our partners at Talquin, at the city, and elsewhere to see how many homes do not have a fire hydrant within a thousand feet and what can be done to start to rectify that.”
The timeline for the installation will depend on the staff’s report regarding costs and locations. O’Keefe stressed the importance of gathering detailed information before moving forward.
“Let’s find out how many houses we’re talking about. Let’s find out where they are and let’s find out what we can do with our partners,” O’Keefe said.
Chief Carroll expressed his support for the county’s efforts, highlighting the community’s dedication to safety. “The reason I do volunteer fires is because we care about our community, we care about our neighbor, and I don’t want my house burning down as much as I don’t want my neighbor’s house burning down,” Carroll said. “Working to come up with a solution is always the best way instead of just saying they’re going, well, they won’t do it or they won’t do it.”
