Chain Bridge Road and Fire Protection
as discussed at the PCA's December 2009 General Membership Meeting

At the December General Membership meeting, Councilmember Phil Mendelson and DC Fire Chief Dennis Rubin made presentations on the Chain Bridge Road Fire of July 2009, and provided information on the current fire protection situation in the Palisades.

Councilmember Mendelson provided details on new legislation under the Council's consideration largely drafted in response to the fire; he also noted that DC WASA could approve as early as this December 2009, funding for replacement of the eight inch water pipe that serves Chain Bridge Road hydrants. Mendelson added that construction could begin as early as January 2010.

Click here for Councilmember Mendelson's Opening Statement at Hearings on the Chain Bridge Road Fire, held on September 25, 2009.

DCFD Chief Rubin also discussed the assessment of fire hydrant capabilities, and has provided documentation on the Chain Bridge Road Fire.

Click here for the DC Fire Department's Report on the Fire (Preliminary Review, August 7, 2009)
Click here for Chief Rubin's Response to Councilmember Mendelson (October 6, 2009)
Click here for Hydrant Flow Test Results for Chain Bridge Road (August 2009)

DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services website: http://fems.dc.gov

So what do the rings around the fire hydrant mean? DCFD has provided the following information:

Fire hydrant reflective banding

Fire Hydrant tagging

RED TAG: out of service
GREEN TAG: needs maintenance – still operational and in service