Last month several firefighters from Medford broke their silence to the Pine Barren’s Tribune regarding a problem with the Town’s fire hydrant system, which they claimed was not being regularly tested, a task that should be performed at least once a year. The whistleblower’s also claimed that a wrench recently broke while they were trying to access a hydrant near Taunton and Tuckerton Road, which as we reported last month, was the location of a fire that tragically killed a 71 year old Medford resident.

We also reported that a tort claim notice had been filed by the estate of the woman who perished, a suit we believe is linked to that broken wrench at Taunton and Tuckerton. After our report came out we got word from several residents that fire trucks were out testing hydrants, and more importantly, replacing the ones that were not working properly.

Confirmation of Medford’s new commitment to keep its residents safe came at last nights council meeting, where the Township Manager, Kathy Burger, let the council know that 462 of the Township’s 721 fire hydrants, had already been tested. Burger also let the council know that when a bad hydrant was identified, that they were immediately being replaced, a move welcomed by the firefighters, and residents alike.