May 9, 2007 6:59 pm US/Central
Legislator Takes Quick Action To Fix Fire Hydrants
CBS 2 Investigation Led To New Safety Proposals, Lawsuit
by Dave Savini
LISLE (CBS) ―
They were on empty and posing a potential threat to homes and schools. Now quick action comes as a result of the 2 Investigators exposing fire hydrants "Out of Order."
CBS 2 Investigative Reporter Dave Savini has the latest on newly proposed safety measures and a lawsuit filed today.
"The fact that there are broken hydrants in front of schools just breaks my heart," said State Rep. Renee Kozel (R-81st).
She wants to stop what the 2 Investigators exposed: empty fire hydrants, others that don't open; even in front of schools like Derek Srail's in Lisle.
Asked "what is your biggest fear about this hydrant?" Srail said, "dying."
Hydrants operated by a private company, Illinois American Water, were left inoperable for months, yet fire departments were not notified.
"They should inform them immediately when they know a hydrant is out," Kozel said.
Kozel is creating legislation requiring immediate notification of broken hydrants to fire departments and faster repairs.
Illinois American Water president Karla Teasley said, "We are working on improving our response time as well as our ability to service our hydrants timely."
That starts with staying awake on the job. Savini got no answer from one worker who was asleep in his truck when asked why he was sleeping when there were hydrants to be fixed.
Attorney Shawn Collins is suing Illinois American Water and the Village of Lisle. "This whole company's been asleep," Collins said. "The main focus of this lawsuit is to require that Lisle take over water service to these people."
The company has 8,000 hydrants in 32 local communities, including Mokena, where one hydrant has been broken for two weeks.
"I would think that that would be unacceptable the fire department is expecting the hydrants are working," said Mokena resident Jeff Pregmon.
The company has hundreds of thousands of customers in Illinois. Wednesday's lawsuit involves only a small part of Lisle.
Lawyers say they will demand the company turn over its hydrant inspection records and water pressure tests.
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