City to color-code hydrants

TOLEDO, Ohio - Called a step in the right direction, Toledo will now color-code the city's various fire hydrants in an effort to eliminate potential problems when fire crews arrive at the scene of a fire.

The move was made in the wake of the June 9 fire that destroyed an historic Old West End home located on Mount Vernon.

Starting this week, hydrants hooked up to four-inch lines will be painted completely red.

"It doesn't matter how many fire trucks you have or what timely response that you have, it's in vein if there is no water in main or hydrants," said Edward Kipplen, an Old West End resident.

Kipplen and other Westmoreland neighborhood residents attended a committee meeting inside City Council chambers downtown at One Government Center. The purpose was for officials from the department of utilities and the fire department to discuss ways to address the four-inch water lines in certain neighborhoods and hydrant testing.

"Regardless if you live there or you live in the South End of the West End, you should always be concerned and make sure you have enough water pressure in your neighborhood," said Councilman Michael Ashford.

After identifying all of Toledo's hydrants hooked to four-inch lines, the tops will soon be painted red and eventually upgraded. Three hydrants in the Westmoreland neighborhood have already been hooked up to new, larger lines.

There are nearly 10,000 hydrants in the city. Administrators said about a hand-full of employees attempt to test them every year.

Kipplen, who has lived on Mount Vernon for over a decade, approves of the recent upgrade, but still thinks more needs to be done and more of his questions need direct answers.

"I'm satisfied with the tone but talking isn't walking," he said. "That's where it needs to be. They have to walk the talk."

There's no set time as to when the upgrades on hydrants are expected to be complete.