Re: Clearing snow from Fire Hydrants
Dr. Steven C. Myers (R1SCM@AKRONVM.BITNET)
Wed, 26 Jan 1994 22:18:22 EST
On Tue, 25 Jan 1994 08:04:10 EST Kevin Peterson said:
in response to a suggestion of mine for some public service:
>When I was growing up in Buffalo, New York, this was a favorite
>activity of many Scout troops. However, due to some liability
>issues, the fire department decided that they did not want the
I agree with George Huffman, we are thinking "wrong" when we
think liability and allow that to govern our actions to the exclusion
of worthwhile projects.
>Scouts to do this anymore. I think the issue was something like
>this:
> - Scouts start to clear the fire hydrants,
> - The fire department sees this and said great we don't need
> to go out and check these hydrants anymore since the Scouts
> are clearing them,
This is the mistake. Scouts are not to replace the firefighters
jobs and relieve them of checking. As it is now, they have to
drive, stop and shovel. We propose to eliminate some (not all
stopping and shoveling). That way more hydrants get checked
more quickly and safety is enhanced. If the scouts do not
do their part the firefighters are none the worse for it, but
the scouts are.
> - fire occurs, and the fire department finds that this once
> cleared hydrant was not shoveled out for the last 3 snows
> and they have to take the time to clear the hydrant.
Again, this is not the scouts ULTIMATE responsibility.
We do not relieve them of checking.
> - since clearing the hydrants is really the responsibility of
> the fire department, they may get into some trouble.
No way, no how. Remember, in my posting, I explained that
the fire department was asking residents to clear their
hydrants and the scouts are residents.
>
>Check with your local fire officials. Then,
>once you start to clear them, you need to keep it up for the
>entire season.
On this I agree.
Wow Kevin, If we can't help after disasters and can't help
prevent them, maybe scouting really is becoming the worlds
largest camping club. We must take seriously our duty
"to help other people at all times." Otherwise, we do not
deliver the promise. Take this as true from a Scoutmaster that
has been upbraided by two scouts, a parent and a committee member
(and a wife) for not doing enough service. Teach your scout,
parents and committee well and they won't hesitate to point out
when the promise is not being delivered. In the words of the
parent "I want him to learn to help others. Your troop needs
to get out more." (and he wasn't talking about camping). Say,
he sounds like a service chairman to me. Hmmmm!
Steve Myers
Scoutmaster, Troop 1, Akron, OH
>
>--
>Kevin Peterson | peterson@dg-rtp.dg.com
>ASM, Troop 346, Raleigh, NC | KevinPNC@AOL.com
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
