The City of Ark City says what started as a routine concern from Street & Stormwater Supervisor Brian Edwards turned into a valuable training opportunity for the Arkansas City, KS Fire/EMS Department. After several days of heavy rain, Edwards wanted to ensure the City’s stormwater drainage outlet near 6th Street and Lincoln Avenue was clear and allowing water to flow freely into the river. Heavy rainfall can carry tree limbs, vegetation, mud, and other debris through the City’s storm drain system, where it can collect at the outlet and restrict the flow of water. To inspect the outlet, Arkansas City Fire/EMS personnel suited up and were lowered into the drainage structure, providing firefighters with a unique confined-space training opportunity while assisting another City department. The inspection found very little debris, and we’re happy to report the outlet is clear and functioning as intended.
