Hydrants crucial for expansion

By Rebecca Kuku
Acting Chief Fire Officer Bill Roo has raised concern about new development areas not having any fire hydrants.
Roo said the old Port Moresby had fire hydrants but the new extension of the city and the new development areas did not have any.
“That fact in itself suggests that people’s lives are at risk,” he said.
“Homes, buildings, facilities and shopping centres in the city are all at risk because there are no fire hydrants and if a home or building or even a school,  was on fire, there wouldn’t be much the fire service could do to help, simply because there are no fire hydrants.
“The few that are in the old Port Moresby area are in need of upgrade.
“Existing hydrants in the city needs to be cleaned, painted and tested.
“New hydrants should be placed in the extended part of Port Moresby.”
Roo said fire hydrants were like taps that provided water to fire trucks and it was important that there be one unit every 100m in the city.
He supported a call made by Eda Ranu chief executive officer Henry Mokono that the fire hydrant was a communal responsibility.
However, Roo said Mokono’s call to place security systems with the fire hydrant was impossible.
“It’s something very new and with the little funding that we receive, I’m not sure if we can accomplish that,” he said.
“But I believe that awareness is the way forward.”
Roo said fire hydrants should be installed throughout the city and awareness made to educate people on their importance.
“People must take ownership of the hydrants, see its need, understand its value and take care of it,” he said.
Roo said the PNG Fire Service would work closely with Eda Ranu and other stakeholders to address the issue.