McADOO - Kline Township officials are hoping the Hazleton Area School District can fix a problem that could hamper firefighters if a fire broke out at McAdoo-Kelayres Elementary/Middle School.
The problem is due to insufficient water pressure in the fire hydrants.
The district became aware of the problem Sept. 14 and since then, progress has been slow in taking care of the problem, according to the township supervisors, who brought it to light at Monday's meeting.
"If a fire broke out in the school with the current water pressure we have, we wouldn't be able to put it out," McAdoo Assistant Fire Chief Bob Leshko said. "The 20,000-gallon water tank was drained."
The supervisors said they believe the school district has been dragging its feet on the matter since it was asked to comply with fire department regulations two months ago.
The district was supposed to install a booster pump inside a 20,000-gallon water tank at the school. The pump would increase pressure so that firefighters could hook onto a fitting on the tank and draw water to fight a fire.
Ed Shemansky, projects manager for the school district, said its employees are working to correct the problem.
"We're not dragging our feet on this. As we speak right now, they're up at the school and it's being worked on," Shemansky said.
He said the McAdoo Fire Department tested the fire hydrants a month ago and found there wasn't enough water pressure.
Shemansky said that if a fire breaks out at the school before the booster pump is installed, firefighters would be able to bring in tankers to extinguish the blaze.
He also said he understands what the fire department needs and that the district is trying to correct it. Shemansky said the school district's engineer, Barry Isett and Associates, is aware of the matter and is working on it.
Shemansky said crews had to drain the 20,000-gallon tank, which takes some time to refill with water.
"It should be finished in the very near future, possibly by the end of the week," he said.