LETTERS EDITOR TO THE
Bella Vista fire hydrants
Editor,
In response to the letter to the editor, “A Hydrant Must Work When Needed,” published in the Dec. 6 issue of the Weekly Vista.
Without question, fire hydrants must be in working order. To help ensure that is the case, a formal Fire Hydrant Maintenance Standard Operating Procedure was adopted in 2014 between the BVPOA Water Utility and the city of Bella Vista Fire Department. This policy provides that all fire hydrants within the Bella Vista Water system are to be inspected annually to assess the need for service and maintenance. Per the policy, the hydrants receive a more extensive service inspection and flow test every five years. Both procedures are being followed and staff members are continuously performing these responsibilities as outlined in the procedure.
Also, within the Standard Operating Procedures, fire department personnel have a procedure, when responding to fires, for locating fire hydrants which are available to fight and extinguish a fire. If the primary hydrant is unavailable for any reason, then firefighters will locate and utilize the secondary fire hydrant. This provides additional options to the firefighters when a fire hydrant is out of commission for any reason.
As for the hydrant in question at #6 Woodlawn Drive in Bella Vista Heights, this hydrant was out of commission due to an accident in which a vehicle collided with the hydrant, completely detaching the hydrant from the main water line. The BVPOA Water Utility was informed on or about Nov. 20 that the hydrant had been damaged. BVPOA Water Utility crews reinstalled the hydrant but, upon testing, determined that the damage caused by the vehicle rendered the hydrant beyond repair. In accordance with proper procedure, the hydrant was marked as inoperable until a new hydrant could be installed. Another hydrant has since been installed. As for the fire which took place on Nov. 27, the fire chief for the city of Bella Vista has confirmed that the inoperable hydrant did not hamper the fire department’s ability to fight the fire at #6 Woodlawn Drive. The fire department followed standard operating procedure. When firemen observed the marked fire hydrant (the primary hydrant) as being inoperable, they moved on to the secondary fire hydrant for use in fighting the fire.
The city of Bella Vista Fire Department and the BVPOA Water Utility want to ensure that all Bella Vista residents understand that both entities are taking all necessary precautions to ensure all hydrants are operational when needed. Mike Taggart Director of the BVPOA Water Utility
A special thank you
Editor,
On behalf of the board of directors of the Veterans Council of NW Arkansas, I wish to thank all who helped make our December 7 Pearl Harbor and 9/11 Remembrance program at Riordan Hall such a success, including the Honor Guard of Bella Vista; the Rev. Paul Hass of the Bella Vista Lutheran Church; Tom Judson of the Bella Vista POA; Ron Thurston, band leader of the JM Band of Northwest Arkansas; Bill Punch, music director; Gary Aaron, president of the Veterans Council, who served as the master of ceremonies; Cathly Wilmoth and staff of Riordan Hall; Jim Jaycox of the POA print shop; Braum’s Ice Cream of Bentonville; the Veterans Council members who served as ushers for the event; the Weekly Vista; and the wonderful audience. Leonard Eisert Veterans Council of NW Arkansas, Bella Vista
My Christmas wish
Editor,
My wish this Christmas is that Bella Vistans would cease their constant complaining and, instead, direct their efforts toward making this a better place to live through the many volunteer programs available to us all. In that way, they would have less to gripe about, and we would have a nicer city for all of us.
Sincerely, Stu Sorensen Bella Vista