21/10/02
Bright blue 'cats eyes' are set to become a new, potentially life-saving feature of Perth's streets as they guide fire and emergency services workers to nearby fire hydrants.
Launching the new initiative today, Emergency Services Minister Michelle Roberts said hydrants would now be identified through blue markers to improve their visibility.
As part of the 'Blue Hydrant Marker' project, durable blue markers, similar to the cat's eyes which appear on main roads, will be laid on roads to indicate to emergency services where a hydrant system is located.
Mrs Roberts said the project simplified the existing marker system and would reduce the significant time and resources expended by fire crews to maintain the old system.
"In emergency situations, this simple innovation will enable fire crews to locate this equipment quickly and efficiently to access essential water supplies," she said.
"There are currently 35,000 fire hydrants located across the Perth metropolitan area that are managed and maintained by the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of WA (FESA).
"In the long term, it is expected that this project will reduce maintenance and repair costs, and reduce the time devoted by fire crews to servicing the equipment."
Mrs Roberts said FESA and the City of Swan were jointly involved in a pilot project to test the new technology and provide a benchmark model for the metropolitan area.
"From today, these blue markers will point the way to hydrant locations in Midland, and the surrounding area, effectively replacing the current system within the City of Swan," she said.
The Minister said it was not the first time blue cat's eyes had been used to mark hydrant locations.
"Metropolitan locations such as South Coogee and Mundaring, and regional locations such as Karratha have either implemented them locally or are in the process of contemplating their use," she said.
The blue hydrant marker project is the first step in an extensive, long-term implementation program by the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of WA (FESA) that aims to manage and maintain fire hydrants more effectively in the years to come.
Minister's office: 9213 6600
