PA Water Company: Memo Telling Firefighters Not to Use Hydrants Was a ‘Personal Opinion’

A dispute over emergency access to fire hydrants in a Franklin County borough this week prompted local officials to issue statements saying they supported firefighters having access to borough water to put out fires.

The MMP&W Volunteer Fire Company told residents Tuesday that reliable fire protection could be at risk after the Mercersburg Water Authority Chairman Ed Twine told firefighters they could no longer use its municipal hydrants “under any circumstances,” and that they should “let the building burn.”

The Mercersburg Borough Council on Wednesday responded to PennLive questions about the incident affirming that volunteer firefighters should have access to hydrants and water infrastructure during emergencies.

The borough noted the water authority operates independently from borough council, and that statements made by Twine do not represent the borough’s official position.

“Any statements made by Mr. Twine reflect his own personal opinion,” the statement said.

The Mercersburg Water Authority also released a statement citing water supplies challenges, including a ”large leak” that reduced storage levels, that left them struggling to keep up with demand.

The authority also affirmed its support for hydrant use to protect fire threats to life or property.

The water authority also said “Twine does not speak for the whole of the Authority,” adding that his comments reflected a personal opinion rather than the water authority’s position.

“He is concerned with providing drinking water to 1,000 customers in the Mercersburg community,” the authority’s statement said. “While Mr. Twine may feel that is the appropriate action for his property, the Authority does not believe that a vast majority of the community shares those feelings.”

The fire company’s statement on Facebook said banning hydrants for emergency use places the public at risk, which prompted concerns from numerous residents.

The fire company also shared longstanding concerns over ongoing lack of communication and coordination with the water authority.

The council’s statement said council members will work collaboratively with the fire company, the water authority, and other stakeholders to ensure firefighters have the resources needed to protect life and property.

“We recognize that many of the individuals involved, including the volunteer firefighters and the Water Authority board members, serve in a volunteer capacity with the community’s best interests in mind, and we appreciate everyone who dedicates their time and effort towards these goals,” the statement said. “The Borough Council will be addressing this issue directly in the coming days to prevent any recurrence.”

The dispute started Monday night when firefighters battled a barn fire and had to use fire hydrants because of frozen draft sites and a volunteer shortage that meant they couldn’t bring their tanker truck to the scene. The fire destroyed the barn and killed several animals.

Twine called the fire chief after that incident and said they could not use the borough hydrants, according to the fire department. That’s when the fire chief asked what they should do if his home caught on fire, and Twine reportedly replied. “Let it burn.”

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