Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Elderly residents of Palmiste say they are living in fear of a potential tragedy, as 49 of the 60 fire hydrants across their eight-block community are out of order.
Haunted by memories of former minister Lisa Morris-Julian’s death in a house fire in Arima last November, residents conducted their own inspection and discovered that 82 per cent of the hydrants were non-functional, with 23 showing little to no water pressure.
Speaking to Guardian Media, Ralph Nanan, coordinator of the Palmiste Fire Hydrant Committee, said the inspection was completed two weeks ago in collaboration with the Fire Service Department.
“We have about sixty fire hydrants. Out of that, only about eighteen per cent are functional,” he said.
“The rest are non-functional. Even the ones that work need servicing and painting.”
Nanan said the team worked alongside Senior Fire Officer Sheldon Samuel and his supervisor from the Southern Division.
“We went to each fire hydrant personally and checked every one of them,” he said.
“If there is a fire in any of the blocks, we could be in serious trouble.”
Palmiste Residents’ Action Committee president Terrence Honore said the group began the investigation after concerns about fire safety were raised following the Minister’s death.
“We engaged members of the community to identify hydrants, many of which were obscured, enclosed or buried. Some looked like they had been there since the area was first developed,” he said.
Honore said the findings revealed gaps between what the fire service had on record and what was actually on the ground.
“We found hydrants of different types, some that looked very old. We questioned whether they could function if there were a fire,” he said.
He said the problem required coordination among agencies.
“The resolution requires collaboration between the fire services and WASA. The fire services cannot act unless WASA ensures a water supply. We will continue to press all relevant bodies to act.”
Meanwhile, Rhoda Anderson, a member of the Palmiste Homeowners Association, said the issue placed the community at risk.
“We have an ageing population, ageing electrical systems, and empty lots that are not being maintained. If a fire starts, we have no capacity to handle it,” she said.
Anderson said the situation highlighted the need for education and planning.
“Many residents don’t know who is responsible for maintaining hydrants. The different hydrant models and lack of adapters for fire trucks make the problem worse,” she said.
She noted that maintenance costs can be high.
“It can cost about $50,000 per hydrant to maintain or replace,” she said. “It’s not something that can be fixed overnight, but it needs attention, especially as we approach the dry season.”
Resident Carl Maharaj said people were anxious.
“If there’s a fire and the hydrants don’t work, somebody will lose their house,” he said.
“A man’s house is his castle. Without water, we have a serious problem.”
Residents say they will continue to push for repairs.
Guardian Media reached out to Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander for a response, but calls and messages went unanswered.
