History and Future of the Dry Hydrant
Program in Texas
Texas State Dry Hydrant Committee
- The Texas Resource Conservation and
Development (RC&D), Inc., authorized the Texas State Dry Hydrant Committee
in 1993.
- The purpose was to organize and promote the Dry Fire Hydrant
Program in Texas.
- The committee worked with the Texas Department of Insurance
to change the old rating of fire departments from Key Rate to Insurance Service
Office (ISO).
Results:
- In 1997, Commissioner Elton Bomer approved an optional credit
of up to 10% for industrial and residential fire insurance in Texas.
- A dry hydrant has to be within 1000 feet of a residence
and five miles from the responding fire department to receive the reduction.
- ISO replaced the Key Rate System in Texas in 1997.
Funding:
- Dry hydrants were originally funded from Oil Overcharge
monies in 1993, until the money was exhausted in August 1997.
- The Governors Energy Office, through the Water Development
Boards, contributed $200,000.
- The Texas Forest Service (TFS) administers the funds through
County Commissioner's Courts, Volunteer Fire Departments, Fire Fighters Association,
RC&D Councils, and Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD).
- Through a cost-share program, the RC&D formed a partnership
with County Commissioners Courts to provide a 50/50 match with in-kind services
(backhoe, turn-around gravel pad, and other supplies and equipment).
- In turn, the TFS provided up to $500 in dry hydrant components,
adapters, etc.
The Partnerships:
- The landowner signs a water use agreement with the fire
department to allow the Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) access to water reservoir
24 hours a day.
- Through this partnership, over 1,500 dry hydrants have been
installed in 112 counties in Texas.
- Urban areas, such as Houston, are installing dry hydrants
in the suburban areas where subdivisions have no conventional fire hydrants.
The Future:
- Purchasing and installing dry hydrants is a top priority
for the partners in this program.
- Dry hydrants protect approximately half the state from wild
fires.
- Funds are needed to continue the program.
- Dry hydrants save lives and property.
For more information, contact the Post Oak RC&D Office
in Bryan, TX, at (979)846-0819, ext. 4.
The U.S. Department
of Agriculture prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race,
color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, and
marital or family status.
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