‘It is concerning’; Out of service fire hydrants in Miami Twp. worries residents

MIAMI TOWNSHIP — Miami Township residents say fire hydrants near their homes have been out of service for about six months.

In some neighborhoods, fire hydrants can be seen wrapped in plastic and out of commission. Neighbors say multiple sites like this gives them cause for concern.

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“It seems like something they’re putting off. I mean I know with COVID everything was kind of pushed back but it does seem like a big concern. Especially in areas like this where it’s a little bit harder to get to. It is concerning,” said Bryan Duff, Miami Township resident.

Neighbors are worried about what could happen if their homes catch on fire.

News Center 7′s James Rider spoke with the Miami Valley Fire district who said it’s not a problem but just a minor inconvenience for them.

Whenever they’re dispatched to a fire they have a system that will alert them if there are any hydrants not working and where the next closest one is.

“As a realtor and as a home inspector that’s something I point out to a lot of perspective home buyers that ‘hey you want to know where your local hydrant is in case of a fire you do have access to that,’” Duff said.

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In Miami Township the hydrants are inspected by both the fire district and Montgomery County. The county is responsible for the repair and maintenance of these hydrants.

Some of the delays stem from the same supply chain issues that have impacted so many different industries.

The repairs are also prioritized based on urgency, like the type of repair, how close other working hydrants are and how many homes that single hydrant may service.

Montgomery County has 13,000 fire hydrants and a list of ones in need of repair that they work on addressing every day.

In Montgomery County, if you do have a fire hydrant that’s out in front of your home you can call the field services office 24 hours a day at (937)-781-2678.

Someone should be able to help answer questions about fire hydrant repairs, and know the right people to contact should the need come up.

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