Bethpage Water District (BWD) recently installed eight new fire hydrants near Bethpage schools to better protect students in the event of a fire emergency. The new hydrants will help the Bethpage Fire Department put out fires quicker and easier with greater access to the water supply. The new hydrants are part of capital improvement projects BWD completes each year to improve water service, water quality and to ensure resident safety.
“Maintaining the health and safety of our community is the district’s number one priority,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman William J. Ellinger. “We aim to install ten hydrants per year to make water more readily accessible for first responders during an emergency.”
Since January, two new hydrants were installed near Bethpage High School, three new hydrants by John F. Kennedy Middle School, and another three by the elementary schools to increase fire safety. In addition to the new hydrants, BWD updated 11 existing hydrants throughout the community in an effort to improve water service and keep families safe.
“The installations of the new fire hydrants are essential to the protection of Bethpage students,” said Commissioner John Sullivan. “If a fire should begin in one of the school buildings, the additional hydrants will aid the Bethpage fire department in quickly and efficiently putting out the flames.”
Working side by side, both districts have increased the level of fire protection to residents and community businesses within its Class 2 classification, according to the Insurance Services Offices (ISO), which classifies organizations using a 1 - 10 system.
"This new hydrant system is a major factor of the Bethpage community's public protection systems being ranked among the safest in the country," said Bethpage Fire Commissioner Joseph Minogue. "The Bethpage community's increasingly improving fire safety ratings is a testament to the hard work and cooperation of the Bethpage Fire District and the Bethpage Water District."
In addition to hydrant upgrades, the district has installed a total of 2.39 miles of water main as part of their 2014 capital improvement projects. The district installed over 3,000 feet of brand new water main and replaced over 9,000 feet of existing water main with newer and larger materials. These improvements allow the district to provide residents with the highest quality of water and the most efficient service possible.
“We are always looking for new ways to improve and best serve our community,” said Commissioner Gary Bretton. “Our highly trained staff is available 24 hours, seven days a week to provide the safest water supply possible.”
For more information regarding the Bethpage Water District please visit bethpagewater.org, or The Bethpage Water District’s Facebook Page at facebook.com/BethpageWaterDistrict.com