The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "fire hydrants" ...
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What's Wrong with the Hydrant?
In the investigation, it was revealed that “hundreds of fire hydrants” were not meeting minimum standards for water flow. This prevents firefighters from adequately fighting a fire and requires more time to extinguish a fire. Further, the investigation revealed a number of problems including a water system “looking like clogged arteries, firefighters struggling in aging rural communities”, and lower costs were more important than finding a solution.
Tags: fire chief; fire department; safety; housing; US Fire Administration; water supply; fire victim
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Broken and Unchecked
After a girl was trapped in a house fire, KIRO TV investigated "more than 50-thousand hydrant inspection and maintenance records." They found that many had not been inspected for almost ten years and 1 in 10 hydrants weren't working.
Tags: fire hydrants; inspections; house; city maintenance; fire
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"Tunnel Troubles"
Following the flooding and shutdown of a major tunnel thoroughfare, this investigation found a host of maintenance and safety concerns at a host of other area tunnels, including improperly functioning floodgates and broken fire hydrants and water valves. A bridge tunnel administrator who neglected the maintenance problems resigned after the stories aired.
Tags: flooding; tunnel; bridge; transportation; floodgates
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Pump Station #2
An investigation by KGO-TV revealed that "the emergency water supply for San Francisco's fire hydrants was in critical condition. If the water stopped flowing to the hydrants during a disaster such as an earthquake or firestorm, the engines that power the back-up system would blow up. There are two pumping stations in the city that, in an emergency, would draw water out of San Francisco Bay to send to the fire crews. But, the engineer in charge of the stations was failing to maintain the engines. He hadn't changed the oil in more than ten years on the job. (KGO-TV) commissioned independent tests that showed the engines were in critical condition -- that they would blow up, if run at full load for any length of time. (KGO-TV) also revealed that the chief engineer was busy with many other projects at the station that had nothing to do with public safety. The former appliance repairman used the fire department's building to store old washers, dryers, mattress springs, furniture, a bowling ball and other junk. He set up a putting green, and would drive golf balls off the walls. He parked his personal car inside the pumping station for weeks on end, to do body work. He tended a garden of vegetables and spices."
Tags: San Francisco Bay; earthquake; fire hydrants; pumping station; public safety; TAPE; TRANSCRIPT
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Detroit Fire Department: Out of Service
A nine-month CAR investigation of the Detroit Fire Department reveals outdated, broken equipment and mismanagement compromises the ability of fire fighters to do their jobs. The report details a fire truck that won't go faster than 45 mph, broken aerial ladders, untested air tanks, broken fire hydrants, lack of safety ropes, understaffed and closed fire stations.
Tags: CAR fire department; ladders; rescue; Underwriters Laboratories Inc.; hazardous spills; FAA; arson; disrepair; inspections; pumper; fireplugs; emergency