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Sunday, September 10, 2017

BREAKING NEWS: Maryland State Highway Administration Demands Salisbury Fire Department To Immediately Remove Reflectors

The Maryland State Highway Administration made several formal contacts with Assistant Chief Darren Scott AFTER the recent incident with the Firefighter who was run over by a Fire Truck. 

Based on the fact that it was only SBYNews that broke the news on that matter, a quick Google search lead the SHA to the information on the reflectors that were ultimately installed ILLEGALLY! The SFD did not file any paperwork or garnish permission from the state to install the reflectors.

Aside from it being illegal, the SFD did not follow standard rules by placing these reflectors within 12" of the center line. Ultimately, after the state did their inspection they learned that not one of the reflectors were even within the 12"  rule and they were in fact directly in the path of normal tire traffic.

Considering the blatant violation the state has demanded the Salisbury Fire Department remove all reflectors within two weeks or the state will have their own people remove them and fine the City of Salisbury. 

Finally, the SHA suggested to Mr. Scott to use reflective tape at the top of each fire hydrant. Mr. Scott said the reflective tape doesn't work. Gee Mr. Scott, why do they place it on turn out gear then? What an Idiot. 

117 comments:

Anonymous said...

Waste of money to start with. Bunch of idiots. IF reflective tape doesn't work, reflective paint will for sure.

Anonymous said...

Will it EVER end?

Good Grief!

Anonymous said...

Wow what a waste of money and resources. Not to mention what happened to that fire fighter because of departmental incompetence

Anonymous said...

I am sure everything was fine until you complained, Joe.

Anonymous said...

Wow! This whole thing is over the top funny (except for the guy that got injured)! These far-men are a joke...I'll just keep my outside hoses hooked up and working!

Anonymous said...

For all the people bashing the volunteers - is this your idea of a professionally run fire department? Wake up! I'll take the Station 13 volunteers any day of the week over the clown show that is the Salisbury Fire Department!

Anonymous said...

Their order probably only applies to State Routes like Routes 13 & 50 and not city streets ?

Anonymous said...

What a sad state of affairs that has befallen the once proud Salisbury Fire Department. Uneducated, unprofessional and out of control leadership (actually there is no leadership!). With no responsible adult running the city, this disaster will continue.

Anonymous said...

Just getting warmed up with the corruption of this chief and his constituents.

Anonymous said...

This thrills me to no end. LOL!!!

These children think they can run a City however it suits their fancy, and now they have to pay triple for their mistakes plus pay off the massive lawsuit coming their way.

JoeAlbero said...

7:10, NO, not at all. Any roads with a route number, Mt. Hermon, Snow Hill, Nanticoke, Old OC Rd. and so forth are all state roads.

JoeAlbero said...

6:57, I never made a call, text or email to anyone on this matter. The SHA found out about it on their own. However, next time I'll consider reporting the people who are BREAKING THE LAW.

Anonymous said...

Karma

Anonymous said...

Seems like that cop knew what he was talking about in those comments. Those blue reflectors were never anything but propaganda to connect paid firefighters with police in the subconscious public mind. That's the only way they can continue to justify their existence and cushy job.

Unknown said...

How is that fire fighter anyway has anyone heard

Anonymous said...

That's correct. We also stopped putting them down in state roads months ago. Old news.

Anonymous said...

What a waste of money those things are/were.

Anonymous said...

7:10, the SHA also governs all signage, spacing and location, stoplight timing, parking/ no perking zones according to Fire Plug Locations and other traffic restrictions on all roads. There's a book all cities must follow.

Jake has no idea, though.

Anonymous said...

Personally I prefer the maps books we use that always work. I am able to reference my maps in route to the call and see exactly where the address is and nearest water supply. Maps books are an efficient fire departments best friend.

Anonymous said...

Wow, thanks, SHA! You just saved me a carload of money! I was getting ready to get my pickup outfitted with a snowplow for the winter, LOL!

Lower it @ every fire plug...POP!

Anonymous said...

Don't know about the others but 346 Old Ocean City Rd is not maintained by the State.

Anonymous said...

8:30
Old OC Road is a state road. The state just finished doing all that constructions on the drain pipes that go under the road and they also plow them in the winter time.

Anonymous said...

The state is in charge of many of the streets in Salisbury believe it or not all of my.hermon and several others

Anonymous said...

Not in the Salisbury City limits part.....only the County parts Pittsville east!!!!

Anonymous said...

If the hydrant is obstructed from view placing reflective tape will also be obstructed. That's why they were put on the road, even though they were placed wrong. Numerous fire departments throughout the United States use them. SFD just didn't do it correctly.

Anonymous said...

Hopefully this will get Hoppes and these others fired before they are eligible for a retirement / benefits from tax payers they are screwing over. Also hold this idiot Mayor financially liable along with the rest of these idiots called Supervisors / Administrators.

Anonymous said...

I am still unclear as to what is the purpose of the reflectors. They aren't on the lines. The placement seems random. Any insight?

Anonymous said...

Why all the negativity about the blue markers. They have been in use all over the country for years, and have a legitimate purpose.

Anonymous said...

8:42
Just because a road runs through city limits doesn't make it a city road. Old Ocean City road IS a state road so are Mt Hermon, Nanticoke, Snow Hill and Route 50. Im sure there are several others out there as well.

Anonymous said...

Doing well as possible under the circumstances. Third surgery successful but in a lot of pain.

Anonymous said...

It sure is... SHA plows it don't they.

SbyNews_Staff said...

Ok this should help with which roads are State maintained and which are not. The link below has a list of all the roads the State Highway Administration maintains In Wicomico County.

http://roads.maryland.gov/Index.aspx?PageId=450

Anonymous said...

8:58
They are in the roadways to let the fire departments know where a fire hydrant is. Well they are there until a snow plow comes along and throws it onto the sidewalk.

Anonymous said...

If they have these markers in OC is the state fiefdom making them remove them too?

Anonymous said...

yea well when you posted the original article about them I also complained that they were in the tire area. I spend my day dodging them. I don't need them ripping up my new tires. What a cluster

Anonymous said...

All of these comments and not one has named the real reason this has ended in such a embarrassing manner. When the citizens allow democrats in any office the results will always end up very costly to the taxpayers. The reason for this has already been stated. They act and operate with a feel good, knee jerk reaction without concern of consequences. They have no regard for rules or following the laws in any way. Look at the recently failed presidential candidate. You know they say it runs down hill. I have seen democrats ruin this once pleasant town. I was born here and am disappointed, saddened and hurt to see the shape we are in and continue on that same path.

Anonymous said...

To the people asking what the problem is, it's the fact they are place right in the tire path and I don't need anything hitting my tires. They should have been sunken into the pavement, or they should have been placed on the center line of the road.

Anonymous said...

You sound in the know. Then why, I politely ask, did they not know protocol prior to installation? You state that it's done all over the country. Explain please?

Anonymous said...

Almost every one was in the tire track. Wouldn't have lasted long anyways.

Anonymous said...

How much did we spend (waste) on these hundreds of markers in dollars, in fuel, in time and human misery?

Anonymous said...

Why are so many people against marking the roadway to better identify a Hydrant? If yout house was on fire wouldn't you want the Fire Company to find the Hydrant faster?

Anonymous said...

So, a fireman gets injured while being directed to break the law?

Anonymous said...

You guys shouldn't bother the mayor. He's in Greensboro vacationing on your dime! What are you thinking?

Anonymous said...

Stupid not to check with SHA before putting anything down on their roadways.

Anonymous said...

If the fire hydrant's view is blocked, say by high weeds, then why don't the firemen cut the weeds instead of just hanging out waiting for a fire? They could do it in single man 4 hour shifts.

Next problem......

Anonymous said...

Lines and ALL road markings are under state jurisdiction. They may be applied and paid for by towns and cities but the State and federal government traffic management dictate what, where and how throughout the country. Everyone in heavy construction knows that.

Anonymous said...

They most definitely do I'm a state plow contractor and I have been assigned that road in the past ANY numbered rt. Is maintained by the state and many none numbered roads are also maintained

Anonymous said...

Wrong again.

Anonymous said...

That maybe so but there's a right way to go about having it done and then the way Salisbury FD did the job. The right way would not have sent a young man to hospital with life long injuries. The right way would not have caused them to have to be removed and installed correctly.

Anonymous said...

They don't use them they know how to find a hydrant

Anonymous said...

Actually work? You ARE kidding, rigby?

Anonymous said...

Darrin Scott is an uneducated moron with a fake degree like his fat buttie Richard A. Hopeless.

Unknown said...

Scott is an ass

Anonymous said...

Why does Darrin Scott have a deputy chief position after he has had a heart attack oh it's the good old boy system fat boy hoppes and his buddy John Tull has covered up so much they don't know how to tell the truth so did we punish the people in the accident that involved a f/f by doing something that's was not legal oh but chief hoppes and his Mickey mouse club have never followed rules and regulations and if they did something wrong it was swept under the carpet like it never happened So get off your butts and take the reflectors out of the road

Anonymous said...

Because most of these people have minimal education and have never been west of the bay bridge. If properly installed the blue markers are an effective aide in hydrant location. Why are there yellow and white along rt 50 and every major interstate? They should be installed professionally and not by the firemen.

Anonymous said...

In the areas where I have seen them installed, they are epoxied into divots in the pavement and placed in the center of the travel lane rather than in the path of vehicle tires.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Will it EVER end?

Good Grief!

September 9, 2017 at 6:26 PM

Yes, as soon as they get Rick Hoppes, John Tull, Darrin Scott, Bryan Records, Jimy Gladwell, Chris O'Barski, James Lloyd Jester, Rob Frampton, Big Dawg, Bruce Morris, Zach Bridges and weed out some of the other Douche Bags at the Fire Department. They get rid of Jake Day and Muir Boda.

But get rid of Rick Hoppes first is the main thing.

Anonymous said...

Well I have saved them the expense, I have 2 that flew up and hit my windshield and cracked it.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
I am sure everything was fine until you complained, Joe.

September 9, 2017 at 6:57 PM

Everything was fine until Joe complained??

Go tell that to Jordan Hughes.

Go tell that to Desmond Hughes.

Go tell that to Sheree Sample-Hughes!!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Their order probably only applies to State Routes like Routes 13 & 50 and not city streets ?

September 9, 2017 at 7:10 PM

And County for sure.

Anonymous said...

You have to remember that the fire department did this there own without consulting the state or county.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
What a sad state of affairs that has befallen the once proud Salisbury Fire Department. Uneducated, unprofessional and out of control leadership (actually there is no leadership!). With no responsible adult running the city, this disaster will continue.

September 9, 2017 at 7:14 PM

Look at the Douche Bags that stabbed their way to the top. Rick Hoppes, John Tull(John even stabbed Rick Hoppes in the back while Jeff Simpson was the chief and Hoppes was dumb enough to promote him anyway), Darrin Scott, Bryan Records, Jimmie Gladwell, Chris O'Barski, Mike Donaway, Rob Frampton, Jay Jester, etc. Bunch of Back Stabbers!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Just getting warmed up with the corruption of this chief and his constituents.

September 9, 2017 at 7:15 PM

Yep, you are correct.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Just getting warmed up with the corruption of this chief and his constituents.

September 9, 2017 at 7:15 PM

I don't know if this is corruption or not, but ask him about Ginger Miller. Yes Joe, the people need to know the truth so please don't censor this comment.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Seems like that cop knew what he was talking about in those comments. Those blue reflectors were never anything but propaganda to connect paid firefighters with police in the subconscious public mind. That's the only way they can continue to justify their existence and cushy job.

September 9, 2017 at 7:43 PM

Well wait until Jake Day gives permission to Eric Cramer to become FM 1, Fire Marshal 1 with police powers. Wait, that has already happened! They put $100K in the budget for spending power for a fire marshal. (You know the same Eric Cramer who is in North Carolina living it up with Jake Day and Julia Glanz and 15 other people on vacation on your dime while pretending to be learning about Folk Music). Going to put Kevin Wright from Culvers office out of a job.

Anonymous said...


Found under the FY17 Budget for the City of Salisbury Fire Department.

Departmental Goals
24035 Fire Department/Volunteers

Well I guess they blew that one out of the water!

10. Limit firefighter and EMS first responder injuries to less than 0.05 per 100 calls for service

Anonymous said...

It is to help them find hydrants that may be obstructed from view and it is also harder at night to see them. This is not a new concept fire departments throughout the country have used them for years. There is a proper procedure and placement of them that are required. From what I've read SFD did not follow the procedure or placement of them.

Anonymous said...

Then you would be whining about them not at the station and being ready for a call and out joy riding. Maybe city and county roads should be making them visible from weeds bushes etc. Also a hydrant can be blocked by a car etc the markers help, just need to be done properly though.

Anonymous said...

I have an idea :

1. contract the ambulance calls to life star or whoever

2. get volunteers to do all fires in the city

3. if you keep the resent system , 40 hr. work week .(not the 24 on and 72 off)

Look what the savings would be , salaries , insurance equipment , injuries
we all know that a fire in the bury is almost never heard of .

Anonymous said...

2:32 AM thats pretty much a big fat lie

Anonymous said...

They are ALL state roads, if you dont think so...take a good look at the next ticket you get.

Anonymous said...

All this crap with the fire dept. is a real comedy show, how can a professionally run organization have all this controversy? It seems to me it's time for a change at the top and not by someone local that already has friends and connections in the department. They need a non-local who isn't afraid to get rid of the idiots and dead wood and not someone who is willing to go along to get along. Of course I suppose before that could happen the town will need a new mayor.

Anonymous said...

Thank you! Sick of running these stupid things over. Why would they put them that far from a line? What the hells the point

Anonymous said...

Any updates on the injured guy?

Anonymous said...

oh hells bells! Bunch of full hearty beer chugging pufff wafers, all of them!

Anonymous said...

Any updates on the injured guy?
September 10, 2017 at 9:00 AM


Try actually reading the comments before posting.

Anonymous said...

You seriously don't think firefighters in Salisbury should be paid??? You should be glad you were anonymous. I'd hate for someone to know I had disdain for first responders

Anonymous said...

Idiot

Anonymous said...

Again. Idiot. Sign in front of Blind industries aka old Lowe's building clearly states " Begin state maintenance' Idiots.

Anonymous said...

Same guy that ordered these also said we needed a Fireboat, a Bat Signal, Fences...

Anonymous said...

Maybe I am super smart, but I stated from the beginning that the reflectors do not belong directly in the path of my tires!
I have been swerving to miss them for months now.
It is human nature (for those of us who are awake) to AVOID anything directly in the tire's path.
Most of us instinctively want to PROTECT our tires. We try NOT to run over objects in the road.

There were several commenters on this very blog who stated early on that the most LOGICAL thing is to put reflective tape on the FIRE HYDRANT.

I feel like I am in a dream state lately.
Things seem so very easy to me, but the "authorities" seem to be intentionally making things harder?
Are they really that stupid?
Or am I a genius?

I never felt like a genius years ago.
I actually think the young people are simply stupid as dirt.
What a crazy world this has become.

Anonymous said...

How have they been finding fire hydrants for all these years? I think if it had been a real problem, they would have put down the blue markers before now or figured out another method of locating them.

Anonymous said...

Many municipalities have these reflectors but they do it with the good graces from the state, they don't go off doing their own thing without attention to regulations. Once again, Day and his stupidity ring have struck again with another tax-wasting project. Keep up the good work, Jake!

Anonymous said...

How are the blue reflectors going to hold up to snow plows? Just saying.

Anonymous said...

Hey sfd! They paint fire hydrants yellow for a reason

Anonymous said...

If a hydrant is found that is obstructed by weeds or landscaping, we try to fix it or notify the homeowner.
You guys would throw a fit if the fire department went into your property to remove flowers or landscaping that was obstructing a hydrant in your yard. You would scream inappropriate use of FD resources or government overreach. FD can never win with you armchair quarterbacks.

Anonymous said...

You must not drive around much, because that's not how most of them are installed!

Anonymous said...

Federalsburg mounted, what looks like, a 3 foot red and white reflective antenna on all of their fire hydrants. No reflectors in their streets, but same issue resolved.

Anonymous said...

There is blue reflector tape on the hydrants on Morris Mill Rd. It works better than those reflectors. Get them removed, wanna be hero's.

Anonymous said...

It's a job like all other jobs. I am trained to do what I do, they are trained to do what they do. No big deal. And certainly not hero's. Which is a load of crap.

Anonymous said...

12:53
The ones I have seen all the way down Eastern Shore Drive are to the right of the yellow line where you tire does hit it. Even though most of the hydrants are right at the curb.

Anonymous said...

Once again Joe is right and now the SFD look more stupid than ever. Why wouldn't they have checked to see if what they were doing was correct and correctly applied. Good thing the medical offices I worked for had someone check about things before they were implemented, the only thing I can remember hearing was that thousands of paper clips were ordered instead of hundreds and that was as bad as it ever got-and used yes. Between the fire boat and this they are a joke. Another good question would be to see the number of incidents and type of incidents that fire boat has been actually used for.

Anonymous said...

The markers are placed in the direct path of traffic. Bad planning. Also many fire departments use GIS programs now which mark where all the hydrants are located. This information should be known before arriving. What a joke this city is becoming.

Anonymous said...

The boy mayor and chief hopes should be the ones fined, they have deep pockets

Anonymous said...

The fire boat has never been used in anyway for any legitimate call.

Anonymous said...

they are a waste of time and money. I cant begin to tell you of how many i have seen by the road where they came loose. the antenna on the hydrant is a good idea. or come up with another solution. I will agree, how were these hydrants ever found before? If they come off the road that easily now, what will happen with snow removal. zip up and gone they will be. Time and money wasted!

Anonymous said...

If I am riding down the road on my motorcycle and one of those damn things fly up and hit me in the throat I hope the family has enough sense to sue those idiots.

It's obvious that they don't care about someones life, right Jordan!

Anonymous said...

The computer in theor fire trucks shows a map where all fire hydrants are.

Anonymous said...

Stupid is as stupid does

Anonymous said...

NOT TRUE! When the wicomico yacht club caught fire,it showed up to join the circus. Result, building demolished, so what did the heroes accomplish?

Anonymous said...

My dog can find a fire hydrant every time. So, a big truck is parked 15 feet away from a fire hydrant which is painted yellow in our normal 2 inches of snow plowed after 2 inches is hard packed on the road because that's how long they wait to start plowing.

That means the reflectors are hidden by the snow pack, and any plowing still leaves the yellow hydrants exposed. Visible, even at night.

Oh, unless the fire truck is going way too fast to see it. Put up a Acme Deli or Taylor's BBQ sign on each hydrant... problem solved!

Anonymous said...

Okay used one time my bad $200,000+ boat to ride to a fire.

Unknown said...

I just want the chief charged in this matter. Under his direct order, which was illegal, several of salisbury's sops were broken. State property was vandalized and a young boy was nearly killed and other lives have been put at risk. If this was done by any normal person They would already be in jail. Why is Hoppes not in jail?????

Anonymous said...

Any road that connects between two municipalities is governed by SHA or DELDOT. Any road that crosses a state line is Federal. All roads are to conform to SHA guidelines for safety. These reflectors could pocket water during snowfalls and create black ice.

Anonymous said...

I don't understand why the plugs were planted at so many locations anyway. With the thieves that stay's in this area, you know it's only a matter of time before they destroy, steal or claim they are offended by them. If the plugs are not black they could be labeled racist plugs. Just my humble thoughts from a challenged mind.

Anonymous said...

As we all know, and anyone with even a sand sized brain knew this was a waste of money... Now it has become official in how wasteful this is, since now they have to be removed...

Why can;t you clowns see that this is the end goal for all of these people in power??? To waste as much money as they can, after all it is not their personal money right??? Yet they tax and fee you into slavery... Think you are free, try not paying something and see what happens... IF you can go to jail over a civil infraction, you are not free...

Anonymous said...

First thing is how come the volunteers never had any problem finding the fire hydrants??? I went down a road yesterday and the weeds and grass were so high all you could see was the top of the hydrant. Take that money and cut the grass. If these paid firefighters can not see that hydrant paint the top with that new reflecting paint that has come out. Where did common sense lose its way in Salisbury?? Second I have a comment for 1:54am - Just because Scott whom I do not know had a heart attack and is back to work means anything other than his doctor feels he is in good enough health to work. My husband had a heart attack and went back to work healthier than some of the younger ones even though he was treated by his administration like he could not do anything anymore. This is a falsehood by peoples way of thinking. He is still healthier than a lot of the younger are.

Anonymous said...

Most of these stupid things are breaking up due to traffic. Wonder how many have flattened tires?

Anonymous said...

PLOWS WILL GET THEM!!

Anonymous said...

Have they ever heard of glow in the dark paint??? Easy, simple, cheap solution to seeing their fire hydrants.

Anonymous said...

Why don't they flag the hydrants ,literally? Around Crisfield , a lot of the hydrants that are hard to see have little red flags stuck to the top of the hydrants so they can be located.

Anonymous said...

Amen and they are back stabber from the time they got in department

Anonymous said...

I think they need to put locate poles on hydrants but if they don't do that they need to get on the engines and learn there territory

Anonymous said...

its all a joke until you need help.

Anonymous said...

Tell us!....Tell us!

Anonymous said...

Heaven forrbid any of you open your eyes and ears and be anything other than act simpleminded. I can't help but notice when I see these reflectors that they stand out way way way more than the fire hydrants themselves. And some of you think they were just done to waste money? I'm pretty sure that someone somewhere thought they might save a life down the road. If the fire department sees a hydrant a little earlier without driving past it after dark maybe a life or property could be saved.

Anonymous said...

As expected the snowplows have taken care of the blue reflectors. I say the SFD should offer a reward for each found reflector to help boost the economy (they can use the money taken from volunteers) but we all know they will go buy new ones and start the process all over again wasting city taxpayers money.