Hydrant Workshop Brings Water Operators, Firefighters from Across Georgia to Emanuel County EOC

That’s why water operators and firefighters from all across Georgia filled the Emanuel County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) last week for a first-of-its-kind fire hydrant operation and maintenance workshop. By attending, they sharpened their skills, strengthened the partnerships that keep communities safe, and helped fulfill one of the original goals county leaders set for the EOC: creating a dedicated space for hands-on learning centered around public safety.

Hosted by the Georgia Rural Water Association (GRWA) and organized locally by Emanuel County Public Safety Coordinator Courtney Terwilliger, the workshop marked an important milestone for both the county and the state. It was the first classroom-style statewide educational event held inside the EOC, bringing to life the original purpose of the facility when it opened in 2022.

“After Hurricane Helene, we realized just how critical it was to have a strong, resilient water infrastructure,” said Terwilliger.

That experience ultimately sparked the workshop that would bring firefighters and water operators together to learn from each other. Terwilliger continued, “Even though both of them rely on hydrants, they use them very differently. Water operators focus on system maintenance and water quality, especially during, say, a water main break whereas firefighters are concerned with fast, high-volume water access during emergencies. We wanted to cross-educate both sides, help them better understand each other’s priorities, and make sure they understand how to work together efficiently before the next emergency strikes.”

That idea occurred to Terwilliger in December. Fast-forward to two weeks ago and it became the reality when more than 50 people filled the EOC training room for a day’s worth of hands-on education. Twenty-four local governments from every corner of the state—as far north as Blue Ridge, as far east as Darien, as far west as Barnesville, and as far south as Nahunta—along with four private-sector organizations, attended the event.

Terwilliger said the turnout was a strong reminder of the shared commitment to public safety and professional excellence. “We knew there was a need, but seeing that many agencies from so many different backgrounds come together in one place was really encouraging,” he said.

The training, free to participants, offered a robust schedule packed with valuable knowledge. Instructors covered: the history, uses, and applications of fire hydrants and valves; basic water distribution system hydraulics, fire flow testing, and how these factors impact ISO ratings; the impacts of distribution system fires on water loss, system safety, and resiliency; water quality issues and customer complaints associated with flushing procedures; hands-on demonstrations using a custom fire hydrant cutaway to illustrate operational and maintenance techniques; and flushing and flow testing procedures with live field demonstrations.