Three cheers for Mitchell Tobin

Last Spring, Forest Park Junior High student Mitchell Tobin approached first the Ferdinand Fire Department, then the Town Council with a plan.

Tobin wanted to focus on the town’s fire hydrants for his Eagle Scout project. He noticed the hydrants are hard to see at night and felt something could be done to make them easy to spot during times when seconds count.

Permission was granted.

At the Town Council’s September 10 meeting, Tobin shared the results via a Power Point.

He recently finished the project and explained that he organized volunteers, providing them with training, maps of all 160 hydrants (and pizza at Homestead as a reward).

He worked with the volunteers to first scour the hydrants and wipe off any excess dirt, then wrap reflective strips around the entire circumference. The results can be seen by driving through town at night.

Tobin thanked Utility Superintendent Henry Haake and town officials, who in turn thanked him.

“The fire department members are really grateful,” said an appreciative Fire Chief Dan Lindauer. He noted the reflective tape has made a very visible difference.

Town attorney Bill Shaneyfelt commented, “I’ve seen a lot of Eagle Scout projects. This one was very well thought out and very well done.”