News Flash

Signing up for Community Connect is simple and only takes a few minutes. 

Here’s how you can participate: 

1. Create an Account – Sign up for free by providing your email, phone number, and address.
2. Enter Important Information – Provide details about your household or business that can assist first responders in an emergency.
3. Help Your Fire Department When Seconds Count – Keep your information updated over time so emergency responders have the most accurate details when responding to a call.

 By registering your household, you can provide details such as: 

• Your Property – Share key information about your residence type, fire sprinklers, and designated family meeting places.
• Your People – Provide emergency contact details to help firefighters reach the right individuals quickly.
• Your Needs – Inform the fire department about any mobility challenges or special assistance needs in your home.
• Your Pets – Ensure your pets' safety by providing details about their presence in your residence.

 For businesses, Community Connect allows you to share: 

• Your Plans – Upload emergency response plans, including evacuation procedures for staff and guests.
• Your People – Notify responders of any staff or visitors with mobility challenges.
• Your Property – Provide access details, utility shut-offs, fire control systems, and hazardous materials information.
• Your Contact Info – Enter emergency contact details to receive alerts if the fire department is dispatched to your property.

The information you share through Community Connect is voluntary and securely stored with bank-level encryption. It is used exclusively by first responders to improve emergency response and is never shared or used for any other purpose. If you're comfortable logging into an online banking system, you’ll find Community Connect equally secure and easy to use. 

During the February City Council meeting, Mayor GP McLeer presented the City of Fountain Inn’s Black History Month Proclamation to Ms. Avis Kelley in recognition of her continued service and dedication to our community.For the past four years, the City has presented this proclamation to local leaders and organizations who make a lasting impact in Fountain Inn. This year, we are proud to honor Avis for her many years of service on the Board of Zoning Appeals, her involvement with the Juneteenth Community Planning Committee, and her active role at Mt. Zion Baptist Church.Thank you, Avis, for the time, leadership, and heart you give to Fountain Inn. We appreciate your commitment to helping our community grow and thrive. 🩷

Fountain Inn, SC — On March 18, the City of Fountain Inn joins communities across the country in recognizing Natural Gas Utility Workers’ Day, honoring the dedicated professionals who safely deliver reliable natural gas service to homes and businesses every day. 

 The Fountain Inn Natural Gas Department, made up of 18 highly trained employees, works year-round to operate, maintain, and protect the City’s natural gas system. From responding to service calls and maintaining infrastructure to ensuring safety compliance and system reliability, these employees perform critical work that often happens behind the scenes but is essential to daily life. 

 Natural Gas Utility Workers’ Day was first established in 2015 by the American Public Gas Association (APGA) to recognize the hard work and commitment of natural gas utility professionals across the country. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the national recognition. 

 March 18 was intentionally selected for the observance. The date commemorates the 1937 New London, Texas school incident, which ultimately led to the widespread odorization of natural gas and a renewed national focus on safety within the industry. Today, safety remains the cornerstone of natural gas distribution, and utility workers across the country are committed to ensuring natural gas is delivered as safely and reliably as possible. 

 “Our natural gas team works quietly behind the scenes, but their impact is felt across our entire community,” said City Administrator Shawn M. Bell. “Their commitment to safety, reliability, and service ensures that Fountain Inn residents and businesses can depend on their natural gas system every day.” 

 Eduardo Noriega, Director of Natural Gas for the City of Fountain Inn, emphasized the dedication of the department’s employees. 

 “Our team takes tremendous pride in serving this community,” Noriega said. “Whether we are maintaining infrastructure, responding to service calls, or preparing our system for future growth, safety and reliability are always our top priorities. Natural Gas Utility Workers’ Day is a meaningful opportunity to recognize the hard work and professionalism of the people who keep this system running every day.” 

 The City of Fountain Inn is proud to recognize these dedicated professionals and thank them for their commitment to serving the community. 

 Residents are encouraged to join the City in recognizing the contributions of natural gas utility workers on March 18. 

The City of Fountain Inn Natural Gas Department recently implemented a series of new technology tools designed to modernize operations, improve safety monitoring, and strengthen long-term reliability for customers. 

 The initiative introduces four new systems that enhance how the department reads meters, documents construction, manages infrastructure assets, and monitors system performance. Together, these technologies will reduce manual paperwork, improve data accuracy, and allow staff to respond faster to operational issues. 

 The four systems being implemented include: 

 Temetra – Mobile Meter Reading and Field WorkflowTemetra provides a modern mobile platform for meter reading and field operations. The system allows crews to capture meter reads, notes, and exceptions directly in the field, reducing manual follow-up work and improving efficiency. 

 Esri As-Building – Construction Documentation and Underground Record CaptureEsri As-Building helps staff digitally document construction projects as work is completed. Instead of relying on hand drawings and later data entry, crews can capture installation details in real time, improving the accuracy of underground utility records. 

 GeoNAM – Asset Management and Compliance Inspection TrackingGeoNAM connects system maps and infrastructure records with inspection and maintenance tracking. This tool helps organize compliance activities such as leak surveys, valve inspections, and regulator station checks. 

 DeltaV SaaS SCADA – Real-Time System MonitoringDeltaV SaaS SCADA provides secure monitoring of critical system conditions such as gas pressure and station performance. The system generates alerts that allow staff to quickly identify and respond to operational changes. 

 “These tools help our team capture better information in the field, monitor system conditions more effectively, and respond quickly when something changes,” said Eduardo Noriega, Natural Gas Director for the City of Fountain Inn. “Investing in modern technology strengthens safety, improves efficiency, and helps ensure reliable natural gas service for our community.” 

 City officials say the modernization effort reflects Fountain Inn’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a safe, dependable utility system while using technology to support efficient operations and regulatory compliance. 

 The City of Fountain Inn Natural Gas Department serves thousands of residential and commercial customers and continues to invest in infrastructure, safety, and operational improvements to support the community’s growth.