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Fire department urges contract review after hydrant testing finds widespread deficiencies
Summary
Kingsford Heights fire officials told the town council the current fire-protection contract no longer reflects the town’s growth and presented hydrant test results showing about one-third of hydrants below recommended flow, urging repairs ahead of an ISO inspection that could affect insurance rates.
The town’s fire department asked the Kingsford Heights Town Council on July 20 to review and update its fire-protection contract to reflect substantial residential and commercial growth and new equipment needs.
“We request that the current fire protection contract be reviewed and updated to reflect the significant growth, development, and changing emergency service needs of our community,” the fire department spokesperson said, noting the contract was written when the town had roughly 450 homes and citing an original model of about $80 per household.
The presenter said the current contract totals about $42,000 and, with the town now at roughly 750 completed homes, that equates to approximately $56 per household, “a decrease of approximately $37.33 per household or nearly a 40% reduction in fire protection funding per household compared to the original agreement.” The department asked to meet with council before the town adopts its final budget.
Council also heard a separate hydrant-testing briefing. “We tested over a 109 or a 111 fire hydrants throughout the town,” the hydrant-reporting firefighter said, summarizing a town-wide assessment of flows and mechanical condition. According to the report, roughly 65% of hydrants met or exceeded minimum expectations while approximately 35% were below recommended flow or flagged for repair; about 36 of 111 tests — approximately 32% — could not provide the minimum 500 gallons per minute expected for standard pump operations.
The hydrant speaker warned of an upcoming Insurance Services Office (ISO) evaluation. “ISO is coming this year, and that will affect everyone's insurance rates if this isn't resolved,” the speaker said, urging the council to coordinate with utility personnel to prioritize repairs and replacements.
Council members asked staff about scheduling, budget implications and whether closed valves or incomplete new-build connections might explain some low-flow readings; fire officials recommended an annual contract review process to allow predictable adjustments tied to growth and equipment needs.
The department provided a completed hydrant-testing report with flow rates and maintenance notes and requested the council work with utilities to address the deficiencies before the ISO review. No formal vote was taken on altering the contract at the July 20 meeting; the department asked only for a meeting and for the council to prioritize repairs in its capital planning.
The council will consider the department’s request and the hydrant report during upcoming budget discussions and follow-up coordination with utilities staff.
