It will help firefighters locate hydrants blocked by cars
SOMERS POINT — Sometimes a matter of seconds can mean the difference between life and death during an emergency, and Matthew Barnabei hopes his proposed project will be the helping hand that leads to positive outcomes.
Barnabei, a 15-year-old student at Mainland Regional High School and Life Scout with Boy Scouts of America Troop 55, shared details of his proposed Eagle Project with City Council, and secured its approval, on May 9.
He told the governing body that firefighters can have a difficult time seeing hydrants from the truck due to cars parked along city streets, and asked for permission to lead an effort to paint a yellow Maltese cross 2 feet from the curb adjacent to each one.
“I think it’s a great project, helping my city,” he said.
Barnabei said the Maltese cross is appropriate because it is both easily identifiable and a symbol of the fire service.
Scouting is a leadership and development program, with Eagle being the highest rank achievable. A Scout must earn at least 21 merit badges and complete an Eagle Project to attain the rank, something older brother Derek Barnabei did in 2018 through creation of a greenhouse at Jordan Road School.
Completing the project provides the Scout the opportunity to exercise the skills he has learned through Scouting, such as leadership, planning and organization.
Barnabei will not do any painting. Instead, he will plan and organize the project, collect the supplies and materials necessary to complete it and distribute the materials and manpower effectively so as to finish the project in a timely manner.
One caveat is that the project should benefit a school, church or the community in which the Scout lives.
Barnabei must create a template, gauge how much paint will be needed and secure the paint and other materials by raising money or having the supplies donated.
He said he is undertaking the project “to help the fire companies so they can locate the fire hydrants.”
City Councilman Sean McGuigan, who has been working with the teen to facilitate the project, asked engineer Greg Schneider whether there were any rules prohibiting it, and he said he checked the uniform traffic control device regulations and found the Maltese cross is permitted as a way to assist firefighters.
City Council President Janice Johnston asked if the crosses would be painted alongside every hydrant in the city.
Barnabei said the troop would be marking only those on city streets, not ones on roadways owned by the county or state.
McGuigan asked if the teen knew the number of hydrants, speculating that it could be as many as 200, and how long it would take to complete the project.
Schneider said he was unaware of the number of hydrants.
Barnabei said he is working with Deputy Fire Chief Michael Sweeney to obtain a map of the city indicating where each hydrant is located.
Councilman Howard Dill said through use of a stencil, the project would move rather quickly.
“I think this is a great project and I fully support it,” he said.
Barnabei said the whole troop, as many as 40 Scouts as well as some adults, would be participating. The target date is Aug. 17.
McGuigan advised the youth to take proper safety measures.
Schneider said the city may be able to provide reflective vests.
Mayor Dennis Tapp said it’s a worthwhile project.
“Any way that we can help the fire department and our public service people, I think it’s a great project. Best of luck,” he said.
“Thank you very much for stepping up and doing it,” Councilman Charles Haberkorn said. “It’s a great endeavor and I am looking forward to seeing it completed.”
Barnabei has been participating in Scouting for nine years, while father Craig Barnabei has been in troop leadership since 2014.
“All I want to do is play golf, play soccer and go Scouting,” Barnabei said.
Barnabei currently has about 21 of the 138 possible merit badges and likely will end up with 40 to 50 by the time he reaches age 18, when he can participate as an adult leader.
– STORY and PHOTO by CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff