Agenda - 07-08-1982 - Laserfiche WebLink

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238 ORANGE GROVE VOLUNTEER FIRE CO ROUTE 3.HILLSBOROUGH.NORTH CARD!.INA 27278 To: Orange County Commissioners From: Edward Johnson, President Date: June 24, 1962 Re: Proposed Midway Airport The first Midway proposal presented a considerable fire exposure consisting of warehouses and office buildings. We focused our comments last February on the problems presented by this portion of the proposal and devoted rela- tively little attention to the problems presented by the landing strip. This was not because we thought there were no problems presented by the aircraft operation but simply reflected our state of ignorance at that time concerning fire protection for airports. We have attempted to correct this deficiency in these comments. In preparing these comments we have relied on the advice and information provided by the FAA North Carolina Division in Atlanta, the Aviation Section of the North Carolina Department of Transportation, and the fire chief at RDU. In addition we have sought out the location of a com- parably-sized private airport so that we could inspect their fire protection facilities. Unfortunately we found there is no private airport of this size "this side of Houston, Texas." We continue to be concerned about our ability to provide adequate fire pro- tection to the proposed airport. One concern is that the nearest access to the airport is over 4.5 miles from our station which means that response time will be in the 7-10 minute range. Second, we may not be able to turn out sufficient manpower during the middle of the day. Third, we are presently untrained in coping with the firefighting problems presented by an airport. Presumably, this third concern can be overcome by locating instructors to provide us with the necessary training. Lastly, we are concerned about the size of the project. The plans indicate hanger space for 276 planes. This is five times the number of planes based at Horace Williams Airport, Pre- sumably, the potential for accidents will be five times as great. Our concern is heightened by the 3 plane crashes that have occurred near Horace Williams airport recently. All involved the presence of fire depart- ments and at one crash 3 departments were called and firemen remained on the scene throughout the night. Nevertheless, Orange Grove will provide fire protection for Midway but urge the County Commissioners to give serious consideration to the following recommendations. Water Supply We have been advised that we should have available a reliable water supply capable of furnishing 250 gpm for 2 hours. This 4s a 30,000 gallon capacity. In consulting with the Midway architects, we have agreed that this requirement can be met with three ponds that can be constructed sequentially as the various segments of the airport are constructed. The first pond would be 600 feet north of the phase one F.B.O. Hanger; the second pond would be 600 feet north of the phase 2 maintenance hanger.; the third pond would be 400 feet northeast of