Fire Department Prepares For Hydrant Testing

WELLS -

Wells Fire Department is starting to test all the dry hydrants in the area. Testing consists of hooking into a dry hydrant with the pumper, or “engine.” Firefighters first push water through the hydrant to “blow out” all the sludge, slime, and mud that could clog up the pump. Clearing sludge from the pumps is essential to proper maintenance, as it can be very costly to repair them if they get clogged.

Once the water has been blown through the hydrant, the crew will then “pull” water up through it using a vacuuming or suctioning effort. The pumps can pull as much as 1,500 gallons of water up approximately 30 feet of elevation per minute. This scheduled maintenance is done annually each spring, to make sure every dry hydrant in the town is in good working condition. Pump testing and hydrant clearing is also great training for firefighters, making them more efficient at “pulling a draft” from a fire pond. It takes great skill and understanding, as well as a considerable level of experience, to get this accomplished quickly.

In addition to clearing any clogged hydrants, routine maintenance will also be done to the couplings fixed to the hydrants, with any loose couplings in the setup to be repaired and tightened.

OUR TICKETS AND GIFT CARDS MAKE GREAT MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS!

Maine-Made Lone Pine Beer Dinner

Thursday, May 11 at 6pm

Enjoy a 4-course meal in a private dining room, with each paired with a different Maine beer. Learn more about each beer, its brewing process, and its brewery!

See the menu and order your tickets on our website!

6/17: Elvis Tribute Show

6/25 & 11/17: Runnin’ Down a Dream, Tom Petty Tribute

6/30: Once an Outlaw with special guest Jon Butcher

7/1: Steve Sweeney Comedy

7/2: Elton John Experience

7/7: Johnny Cash Tribute

7/9: Tom Cotter Comedy

7/14: Paula Poundstone

7/15: Eliot Lewis

7/21: Kate Taylor

Blue C Studio Orchestra

9/23: Patsy Cline Tribute

10/3: Martin Barre, Unplugged

10/21: Rust Never Sleeps Band

10/27: James Montgomery

11/3: Another Tequila Sunrise

11/18: Jim Brickman Live with a Little Bit of Christmas

11/25: Cheryl Wheeler & Kenny White

12/8: Chris Collins & Boulder Canyon, John Denver Christmas

12/10: A Christmas to Remember with Deep Blue C