The network of fire hydrants within the township of Riddells Creek is set to remain in tip-top condition thanks to the efforts of a team of runners and walkers from the Riddells Creek branch of the Macedon Ranges Running Club.
The Riddells Creek Fire Brigade periodically undertake programs to audit the condition of fire hydrant plugs and marker posts throughout the town, but on this occasion the local running group took it upon themselves to provide this service after hearing about the ‘Adopt a Hydrant’ campaign.
Over a 3 month period, a team of around 20 runners and walkers observed the condition of fire hydrants during their weekly runs around the town. After all of the streets had been visited, the group submitted their list of their findings to Western Water to follow up.
“The Macedon Ranges Running Club initiated the project late last year when we learned of the Adopt A Hydrant campaign” said Lindsay Sharpe, coordinator of the Riddells Creek branch. “Western Water then provided us with maps which showed the location of all of the fire hydrants around the town” said Lindsay. “It was a great opportunity for many of our runners to visit some of the quieter streets in Riddells Creek which they otherwise had never been to before. What a great way to get to know your township” said Lindsay.
The efforts that the Macedon Ranges Running Club has saved the volunteers of the Riddells Creek Fire Brigade a significant amount of time. “We were so delighted when the running club contacted us to say that they had carried out this program on our behalf” said Dave Thompson, Captain of the Riddells Creek Fire Brigade. “This has been such a wonderful example of a community group supporting their local fire brigade” said Dave. “Sometimes it’s easy to forget about the importance of fire hydrants being easily identifiable and easily accessible. In the event of a major house fire, most fire trucks will have utilised their full load of water within the first 2-3 minutes. That doesn’t leave us with much time to find the nearest fire hydrant and connect our fire trucks to it” said Dave.
Western Water are equally as delighted by the efforts of the running club. “We are really pleased to have the running club as the ‘eyes’ of our Adopt a Hydrant program, checking hydrants as they make their way around the streets of the Macedon Ranges,” said Graham Holt, Western Water’s General Manager for Customer and Community Relations. “We have been working closely with the CFA on Adopt a Hydrant for many years, and it’s great to get the wider community involved in this important program” said Graham.
The Riddells Creek Fire Brigade hope that the actions of the Macedon Ranges Running Club will inspire others in the community to ensure that the hydrant nearest to their property is kept clear, visible and accessible at all times.
People wishing to know more about the Macedon Ranges Running Club should visit: www.macedonrangesrunningclub.com/
Author: Dean Anderson