WILKES-BARRE — City Fire Chief Jay Delaney said Monday’s drill/exercise and evaluation of the Solomon Creek floodgates is a necessary drill for several reasons.
City firefighters and EMTs conducted the drill closing all four flood gates — Waller Street, Barney Street, Regent Street and South Franklin Street. The streets had to be closed temporarily while the drill was in progress.
“It’s a temporary inconvenience, but it’s necessary to assure everything is in working order and everybody is familiar with the process and the equipment is working,” Delaney said. “The last thing we want is to get called out in the early morning hours when the water is coming up and find there are problems.”
Delaney said the flood gates were closed and evaluated during the exercise. He said the city’s Emergency Response Team only closed two flood gates at a time to lessen the inconvenience to residents.
The exercise began at 9 a.m. and it was over by noon
The city performed the same drill last week on the Brookside flood gates.
Delaney said he prepares a complete report of each evaluation that is sent to the Department of Public Works, the Police Department and Mayor George Brown, in addition to being kept on filer in his office at the Fire Department.
“The report will list all strengths and weaknesses of the crew and all equipment utilized,” Delaney said. “This exercise enables the city’s emergency responders to remain pro-active in protecting the neighborhoods surrounding Solomon’s Creek from flooding.”