Training Exercise and Infrastructure Upgrade to Fire Hydrants on Highland Drive

Staff have identified, through routine fire hydrant testing, that an upgrade to infrastructure supplying water to select fire hydrants on Highland Drive must be completed. This upgrade work must be done promptly to ensure there is adequate water pressure for fire suppression to structures in the area, particularly to the Jack Burger Sports Complex (JBSC). Hydrants along Highland Drive, east of the JBSC are not affected as services are supplied from watermains from Cavan Street.

Port Hope Fire and Emergency Services has undertaken consultation, training, and pre-planning internally, as well as with their mutual aid partners, to ensure an adequate emergency response in the event of incident occurring in this area. As public safety and area structures remain a top priority while the infrastructure work is underway, Port Hope Fire and Emergency Services has activated an alternative fire suppression plan for the JBSC. In the unlikely event of a fire, the Municipality’s Superior Tanker Shuttle procedures will be used to provide fire suppression to the building. The Municipality’s mutual aid partners from Hamilton Township will be joining Port Hope Fire and Emergency Services to train with the Tanker Shuttle on-site on November 14, 2023.

Lower residual water pressure is affecting hydrants adjacent and west of the Jack Burger Sports Complex only. The fire hydrants primarily servicing Port Hope High School are not of concern and response plans for the High School are not impacted. Additionally, water quality to area residents is not impacted.

This project was not originally identified in the 2023 budget however, due to the relative urgency of the matter, a permanent upgrade to the infrastructure is required. Residents may notice “out of service” bags on the affected fire hydrants. Fire hydrants taken temporarily out of service are bagged in order to prevent confusion during fire response and to meet industry standards. These, along with the fire suppression plan described above, will remain in place until the watermain replacement work is complete.

Questions may be directed to Jeff Ogden, Fire Chief or Mike Stewart, Manager, Water. 

2023-11-14