The Community Service Unit (CSU) performs a variety of duties that are essential in the support of the community as well as the Operations Division of DC Fire & EMS.  Six units, with three individuals assigned to each, provide hydrant testing to over 20,000 fire hydrants throughout the District, twice a year. They interact with a multitude of agencies and individuals to assure water supplies are available from the White House to your house. The process, which includes: GPS locating, hydrant type & size, and instant reporting via PDA’s, is state of the art and unlike anywhere else in the United States.  In addition to the pre-event risk assessment, the CSU assists in operations at events such as water main breaks, some emergency scenes, and other situations that may require an engine company response. Through utilization of the CSU, we are better serving and protecting the citizens and visitors of our nation’s capital.

CSU June Accomplishments

• Tested 1786 fire hydrants
• Established two mock cooling stations at 5th Street and Hobart Place, Georgia Ave and Irving Street NW Bruce/Monroe Elementary
• Distributed flyers to over 500 residences of the Trinidad area due to the temporary closure of 10 Engine Quarters
• Responded on a water rescue on the Potomac. Staffed a Tac Unit with boat due to Rescue Company being out of position
• Based on a request through Parks and Recs., delivered 400 of 3 inch supply lines to fill community swimming pools.
• Deployed CSU for Traffic Control assisting MPD, DDOT due to brown outage in the downtown district 8 major intersections
• Placarded all vacant buildings on ST. E’s east side campus