For Fire Safety, Clear Ice and Snow from Hydrants

Clearing hydrants saves firefighters precious time

With some very neighborly help from John L. and some efficient equipment from Birch Lawn Maintenance, this fire hydrant was cleared from the mountain of snow left by the city's plow.

It's important to have a minimum of three feet around the hydrant to give the fire department room to work and to get quick access in case of a fire. If a hydrant is lost or buried in snow, firefighters can lose valuable time trying to locate it when they first arrive at a fire.

Digging out the hydrant is not only the neighborly thing to do, but it is crucial in an emergency for the firefighters to be able to quickly hook up their hoses.