West Virginia Success Story

Dry Fire Hydrants Reduce Insurance Rates

Program: Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) and Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D).

Overview: Over the last decade, six dry-hydrants have been installed in the Valley Head Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) service area. The VFD encouraged landowners to install the fire hydrants because there are no pressurized hydrants in the fire district. The hydrants have been installed in ponds and streams in the area with cost assistance from the Wes-Mon-Ty RC&D. The dry-hydrants were designed by the local NRCS office.

Accomplishments: The Valley Head VFD Chief recently reported that they are working to upgrade the ISO Rating for the Department. This will be accomplished by trial-timed runs to the hydrants with testing. This will lower the insurance rate for homeowners in the area.

Program Benefits: Lower fire insurance rates for homeowners near the hydrants and lower rates for all homeowners with an upgraded rating of the fire department.

Contact:
Larry Casseday, District Conservationist
304-636-6703 ext 310
Larry.Casseday@wv.usda.gov

Elkins Service Center−Serving Randolph and Tucker Counties
U.S. Forest Service Building
200 Sycamore Street
Elkins, WV 26241
Phone (304) 636-6703    Fax (304) 636-1568
http://www.wv.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/elkins.html

Dry fire hydrants are non pressurized fire hydrants permanently installed in water sources such as ponds, streams, and cisterns. A dry hydrant provides a convenient hook-up and a supply of untreated water. In West Virginia where fire departments often have difficulty finding adequate water supplies, dry hydrants can be a tremendous help.

< Back to 2005 Success Stories