WINNIPEG – Firefighters have delivered water to 104 homes as of Friday afternoon with more than 100 more expected by the end of the day, said officials.
Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service officials said this has not affected operations.
“We had lots of situations where they were about to deliver water and they get a call, they go,” said Alex Forrest, United Firefighters of Winnipeg president. “They are in a house, they get an emergency medical call, they go immediately. They are always on duty, always on their radio.”
The city has been playing a never-ending game of catchup. About 780 homes are without water — and each day dozens more are added to that list — but each day the city is only able to thaw out a handful of homes. More than 1700 at-risk properties have also been advised to have water running 24 hours a day.
“We’re working very hard with residents with frozen pipes,” said Randy Hull, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator at the City of Winnipeg. “Unfortunately, we are delayed with what mother nature has done. This is extraordinary.”
The city, for its part, has been doing all it can to fight these water woes. Opening up rec centres for showering, advising at-risk property owners to run taps 24 hours a day, even hinting at putting up residents in hotels.
But communication problems within the city have only caused more frustration for residents. Thursday, Winnipeg’s mayor said anyone who wanted hoses installed could get it done the same day a request goes out. But according to 311 on Friday, it would now take up to 3 weeks.
“We need a definitely improved communications system,” said Sam Katz, Winnipeg’s mayor. “I would say that is one of the real weaknesses of what is happening.”
City council plans on dealing with these matters during a special meeting next week.
It’s still too early to know how much the firefighter delivery service is costing the city.
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