MANDEVILLE, Manchester — The discovery of “phantom” fire hydrants in phase one of the Glencoe Subdivision in North East Manchester earlier this year has resulted in a call for fire personnel to pay closer attention when doing inspection of commercial and residential developments.

Phantom or dummy fire hydrants are being described as those installed in housing developments but which are of no use to firefighters since they are not affixed to a water source.

Acting commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade Errol Mowatt told the recent monthly meeting of the Manchester Parish Council that it is a practice being used by “unscrupulous” contractors to evade procedural guidelines.

“That’s an experience that many, many subdivisions have been turning up… Over time what we have become aware of is that one contractor or one company may be doing several subdivisions at the same time. Because there is a requirement for hydrant(s)…. they put them in (but) they are not connected. Once we (Fire Brigade) have done our inspection they then move (them) and take to the next subdivision,” he said.

Mowatt added: “The primary function of a hydrant is to provide water for firefighting purpose. It would defeat the purpose if a hydrant appears to have been installed but if you turn up in the event you have an emergency, a fire, it’s not working,” he said.

According to the councillor for the Walderston Division Burton Wright (PNP), the Glencoe Subdivision phase one is on the border between Walderston and Christiana divisions.

Persons have purchased lots and built homes there and it has now evolved into a community of roughly 300 residents over more than 20 years, he said.

Wright said that the situation was revealed after a road was resurfaced and he requested that a hydrant be relocated in order not to hamper free flow of traffic.

He brought the situation to Mowatt’s attention at the council meeting as, according to him, three of four phantom hydrants are still in place in the Glencoe section of the Walderston Division.

Wright said that he would like to see them connected and a solution found to bring unscrupulous developers to “book” in order to discourage the practice.

Mowatt said that working in an environment where not everyone is “above board” will mean that firefighters will have to go the extra mile. They will have to also test if hydrants are working during inspection, though that was not the normal procedure, he said.

Wright told Observer Central that since the establishment of Glencoe phase one, phases two and three have been put in place by another developer and those hydrants were in working condition.

The acting commissioner told the council meeting that the ongoing rapid development of Manchester meant there was need for another fire station in addition to Mandeville and Christiana.

Councillor Omar Miller (JLP- Craig Head Division in North East Manchester) suggested that a portion of the funds collected from property taxes could be used to assist in acquiring a fire unit in Manchester. He expressed dissatisfaction that Minister of Local Government and Community Development Noel Arscott had not visited to discuss related issues, despite repeated invitations.

Mayor of Mandeville Brenda Ramsay renewed calls for Manchester residents to pay property taxes. She said many of those who complain about inadequate services were not honouring their tax commitments.

“It is with utter disgust and disappointment that I have to announce that… we are the second highest delinquent parish in the island. I must sit here and tell you that many of the services that are being demanded and the persons who are demanding them are not standing up to their responsibility. Going forward some serious actions will have to be taken,” she said.