| A Scranton councilman called Tuesday
for the ouster of Fire Chief Harvey Applegate after learning that as many as 214 hydrants
are out of service in part because the former hydrant inspector was not doing his job. I
think the mayor should fire him, Councilman Chris Doherty said of the chief. If not, he
should resign.
Mr. Doherty said Chief Applegate endangered lives by allowing the situation with former
inspector Edward Joyce to continue. Mr. Joyce reportedly often did not show up for work or
left during the day without the chiefs knowledge.
Chief Applegate has acknowledged that situation is in part responsible for the high
number of dead hydrants.
Other council members also expressed outrage.
To me, to say that he (Chief Applegate) did not know what was going on, I find that
definitely unacceptable, John Pocius, council president, said.
Councilman Ed Walsh called for an investigation and the establishment of a chain of
command so that the situation does not recur.
Chief Applegate declined to comment.
He did, however, give council a list of out-of-service hydrants. But he said many of
the hydrants have been repaired or replaced.
That led councilman Brian Reap to question the value of the information, which
indicates that 17 percent of the citys 1,245 hydrants are faulty. Its not accurate, he
said. So now were going out to the public with bad information.
The list, compiled by Pennsylvania American Water Co., dates from tests begun last
spring by the utility, Chief Applegate said. The fire department did not receive it until
November because it took that long to compile the information. He did not know how many of
the 214 hydrants are now working. Mayor Jim Connors said Tuesday night that more than 100
have been put back into service, leaving about 100 which need attention.
I think that number is staggering, Mr. Pocius said. I think it shows the urgency of the
situation. If it means expending capital funds, so be it.
Councilman Alex Hazzouri called the situation atrocious and inexcusable, particularly
considering that public safety is one of city governments prime responsibilities.
Mr. Reap said new hydrant inspector Joseph Perrotti should be given a chance to fix the
problem with the help of Pennsylvania American. A meeting between city officials and the
water company is scheduled for Thursday, he said.
If repairs are not made quickly enough, Mr. Reap advocates using capital budget money
to hire a contractor. He also said that city fire companies should be drafted during
down-time to color-code hydrants according to water pressure.
Chief Applegate said the water company is now trying to put in four new hydrants a day,
while Mr. Perrotti is repairing those that do not need to be replaced.
Mr. Connors continued to maintain that the water company should take over the operation
of the hydrants a function it performs in neighboring counties. He said the company has
the equipment, expertise and manpower to deal with the situation.
It shouldnt be our job to fix hydrants, he said. Theyre firefighters. Not mechanics or
plumbers.
Concern over hydrants developed after firefighters in recent weeks experienced problems
at several fires because of dead hydrants. |
