Citizens employees recently trained about 60 firefighters from the Westfield Fire Department on hydrant operation and maintenance and natural gas emergency response.
Three one-day sessions were held to accommodate the department’s three separate shifts. At each session, Mike Elliott, System Integrity Manager, and Darrell Richardson, Distribution Supervisor, Valve and Hydrant Distribution, used a cutaway fire hydrant to showcase how the internal components of a hydrant function to open, close, and drain properly. The firefighters also were taught the important factors of Citizens’ hydrant maintenance and testing programs, as well as winter effects on hydrant operation and usage.
John Scott, District Supervisor, discussed the various causes of natural gas emergencies and how firefighters can most appropriately respond. He also shared information about Indiana 8-1-1 and the importance of utilizing “Call before you dig”. In addition, Scott reviewed the use of the fire department’s air-monitoring devices, which detect and measure the percentage of gas in the air, homes and businesses.
The training sessions were coordinated by Brandon Carter, Supervisor, Customer Field Service and Operations. Additionally, he worked together with the Westfield Fire Department’s Chief of Training, Charlie Johnson, to develop an improved process for contacting Citizens Westfield regarding existing hydrants in need of maintenance or repairs.
“These training sessions were a great opportunity to build a connection with local firefighters as we work together toward keeping our community safe,” said Carter.
Citizens Westfield, along with its local supplier, Ferguson Supply, and hydrant manufacturer, American Darling, donated the cutaway fire hydrant to the Westfield Fire Department for future training and educational opportunities.
