Pierre-Emmanuel Gibson, elected in Béthune and president of SIVOM du Béthunois, recognizes that the skill “External fire defense technical service center” is not the best known… “ In the overall plan for organizing civil security and emergency services, it is the mayors who have the obligation and responsibility to install and maintain fire defense equipment on their territory. Out of thirty SIVOM municipalities, twenty-three have joined the competence, the others work under management. »
What equipment is the responsibility of municipalities? “ We must distinguish two main families: tarpaulins, on the surface or in buried basins, made in rural areas where it is not profitable to provide a drinking water network; and fire hydrants in urban or semi-urban areas. » At the level of the SIVOM du Béthunois, “ this represents 1,002 hydrants maintained and controlled, divided into 61 natural and artificial water points (PENA), 891 fire water points (PEI) and 50 buried fire hydrants (PI). »
Installing above-ground or buried terminals depends on the configuration of the premises. “ The rule is above ground, less expensive and easier to maintain with the possibility of connecting three fire trucks at the same time. When sidewalks are narrow, burying them is more appropriate. »
Why new signage? “ This allows firefighters to find terminals as quickly as possible, especially for units coming to support other fire stations during a disaster.. » To identify the marking, it’s easy: “ The terminal or plate should be bright red. Perpendicular to it and in each traffic lane, a yellow arrow on the road indicates the sidewalk where it is located. Between the terminal and the roadway, a yellow stripe painted on the sidewalk or curb prohibits parking. »
And this will change your parking habits: if the fire truck parks on the road, the fire fighters must be able to unroll the hoses easily to the hydrant. “ Car bumpers must not encroach on the yellow line. We have issued a municipal decree applicable upon installation of the signage. Each offender is likely to receive a fine of €135 – but without the impoundment which normally goes without saying… » And Pierre-Emmanuel Gibson added: “ It is in everyone's interest because every second counts to save lives. »
