A Yazoo City resident is critical of the response measures provided by the local fire department after his home was destroyed by a fire, stating that the hydrant was not working properly. But Chief Ricky Harris defended his firefighters and provided photographs that showed the hydrant working.
“I am not going to sit around and let him, or anybody, try to disrupt or discredit the fire department or my guys,” Harris said, during a recent Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting. “My guys bust their tails.”
Terrence Jones, who resided at 853 Leach Street, appeared before the city council during last Monday’s open board meeting. He said his home caught on fire on Sept. 24, adding that he lost everything including his home, vehicle, belongings and even his family pet dog.
“They (the Yazoo City Fire Department) tried to extinguish the fire using the hydrant, but it was not working,” Jones said. “They had to connect to another truck just to put out the fire. This is a common issue.”
Jones said he contacted Mayor David Starling about his concerns, adding that Starling offered sympathy. But he said he was not pleased with Starling’s response.
“I was very disappointed,” Jones said. “Whereas sympathy was expressed, it was stated that when the fire department comes out in the event of fire, they cannot guarantee that they hydrant will produce water.”
Jones said he was advised by Starling to file a claim with the city clerk’s office or seek legal representation.
Jones also said the hydrant was replaced the same day of the incident, leading him to believe that it was a “cover-up.”
“I find it strange that the same issue took place with our long-time official Mr. (Herman) Leach,” Jones said. “I was actually out there to witness the same exact issue and find it quite disgusting. This is an issue that should be discussed and taken quite seriously. Yet, it is not. I have contacted the fire department on several occasions and never got a call back.”
Jones added that when he received a copy of the fire report, the hydrant’s lack of water was not documented.
“Where is the accountability,” Jones asked. “If this would have happened to any of you, our city officials, this would have been handled a lot differently. I guarantee you that there will be a second and a third incident if these issues are not resolved. You get to go home to your families, and everything I have worked for is gone. The question I have is what are you guys going to do?”
But Harris said the hydrant was working on the day of Jones’ house fire.
“All of his statements he made are not true,” Harris said. “Something just told me to do this that day. But I have a picture of the hydrant working.”
Harris then distributed photographs to the city council, adding that a second fire truck was on the scene. But he said two trucks are dispatched whenever there is a structural fire.
Harris also said the fire department does not replace hydrants but that the Public Service Commission does, adding that they did replace the hydrant that day because it would not turn off.
“The fire hydrant wouldn’t even cut off,” Harris said. “It was replaced because it wouldn’t cut off. And the fire department does not install hydrants; PSC does.”
Harris said the hydrants were last inspected on July 25.
“In the past, we did it once a year, but I stepped it up to twice,” he said. “But I will step it up even more.”
Harris said agreed that Jones contacted the fire department.
“But he called so many times, it disrupted the fire department,” he said.
