Report Problem
Translate
Worked at Louisville Water Since 2005
Many people may not think about fire hydrants until there is an emergency. For Dave Hill, making sure hydrants are ready before an emergency happens is all in a day’s work.
As Louisville Water’s fire hydrant servicer, Hill travels throughout the community inspecting and testing hydrants to ensure they can deliver the water firefighters need when every second counts. After more than 21 years with Louisville Water, Hill understands his work is vital to keeping people safe.
“It’s good to keep your equipment running so they can be used to put a fire out,” he said. “It could get pretty hairy if they pull up to a hydrant and it doesn’t work.”
Louisville Water services more than 25,000 hydrants a year, with Hill working behind the scenes to ensure they’re reliable. He checks each one to make sure it’s functioning properly and puts out enough water for first responders.
“You’ve got to have at least 500 gallons a minute to put a fire out, and most of the fire hydrants here are over 1,000 gallons a minute.”
Before becoming Louisville Water’s fire hydrant servicer, Hill worked as a heavy equipment operator, spending more than 15 years on a weekend shift. Over the past two decades, he has helped support Louisville Water’s mission of providing reliable service to the community.
Today, after thousands of inspections, Hill knows exactly what to look for when checking fire hydrants. But, from time to time, he says he finds something unexpected.
“Sometimes I’ll run into garbage stuffed inside the hydrant,” he said.
One of his most memorable discoveries was a lead golf ball ornament.
“It’s like a paperweight,” Hill explained. “I gave that to Brandon Drake (a Louisville Water distribution operations supervisor). He has it on his desk.”
Surprises aside, Hill says people are typically grateful to see his Louisville Water truck roll up to inspect a hydrant and help keep nearby homes and businesses safe.
“[Neighbors] are always happy when I come out there to test,” he said with a smile.
When he is not on the job, Hill enjoys spending time on his farm and making memories with his wife and two daughters.
For Hill, it’s the same community-focused mindset that has guided his career at Louisville Water for more than 20 years.
Providing safe, reliable water is at the heart of Louisville Water’s mission. Hill helps make sure that commitment extends beyond the tap and into the communities Louisville Water serves.
