For firefighters and rescue workers, it’s a nightmare.
“It’s going to cause a lot of problems for us,” said Mike Cameron, assistant chief of the Circle V Fire Department in Vass.
There were more than 300 wrecks last year on the stretch of road that snakes through Vass and Cameron. That number should decrease considerably thanks to the bypass’ dearth of lights and 45-mph zones.
But, the bad news is that when accidents do occur, there will be more of the high-speed variety.
That means the accidents have the potential to be more serious. Rescue workers know that, as with all accidents, response time will be essential.
The bypass isn’t constructed with fire engines and ambulances in mind, though. There are only three entrances and exits. The guard rails and safety cable that run down the median will make it extremely difficult for the big trucks to maneuver.
Because no businesses will be permitted alongside the highway, there are no fire hydrants. If firefighters encounter anything other than a small car fire, they will have to truck water to the site, Cameron said.
“Probably no fire hydrants are ever going to be out there,” he said. “We’re going to have to bring a tanker to get water to the site. It’s going to be very difficult to get water.”
The bypass will be the first stretch of road in Moore County that presents these particular problems. But other counties have had to deal with them, Cameron said. He works full time for Wake County Fire and Rescue.
Like Wake County, most of the counties with similar highways are larger than Moore County, which usually means they have more resources.
But Moore County does have one advantage: practice.
On March 12, firefighters from seven different departments simulated an propane tanker fire on the bypass, which is still under construction. The only thing missing was traffic bearing down on them.
Firefighters found that the bypass will be every bit of a headache they thought it was going to be.
“We knew there were going to be some challenges,” Cameron said. “Being able to maneuver in a tight space was tough. When you add the public (it will be tougher).”
Firefighters had a difficult time moving around without traffic being a problem. No one knows how much added difficulty traffic will contribute.
Firefighters also had trouble getting water to spray on the imaginary fire. They had to bring in tankers from both directions.
The seven departments — Circle V, Cameron, Whispering Pines, Southern Pines, Carthage and Harnett County’s Spout Springs and Benhaven — worked with the highway contractors building the bypass to figure out the best way to run the scenario.
“Those guys were great to work with,” Cameron said.
Firefighters might have another chance to get all the kinks out of the hoses before the bypass opens in June. Cameron said that there is a good chance they’ll get to run another scenario prior to its opening.
“This is something new,” Cameron said.
