Adopt a Hydrant - And Dig It Out
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| Firefighters Jeff Bleu and Stefan Lamarre dig out a hydrant on Roberts Drive. [Submitted photo] |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The snowstorms that walloped the region recently left behind piles of snow, burying fire hydrants around the city.
Firefighters and city workers have been trying to dig the dozens and dozens of hydrants out over the last week but they could use some help, said Fire Director Stephen A. Meranti.
"We're trying to make everyone aware that if you're going by with a snowblower or shovel, make another pass [and clear the hydrant]," he said.
Many hydrants are so covered with snow that just the tops — or their tall, reflective yellow markers — are peeking out of the snow. Meranti put it down to the amount and frequency of the snow.
A storm last Thursday was quickly followed by another over the weekend, leaving little time for cleanup in between. So much snow, that residents and private plowers may have piled it up too high, too fast - burying the hydrants while they were at it.
That creates a dangerous situation, said Meranti, because of the added time it would take to dig out hydrants if there was a fire. The water department does a great job of maintaining the hydrants but it doesn't do any good if the firefighters can't get at them, he said.
"We're just asking residents and businesses to make a conscious effort to think about where the hydrants are when they are clearing snow," he said.
One way, would be to "adopt" a hydrant near your home or business and keep a four-foot clear circle around it.
"If you are snow blowing the sidewalk we would just ask that you make a loop around the hydrant on your way by," said Meranti. "If you are plowing, please push the snow away from the hydrant. We at the North Adams Fire Department would appreciate any help."
He also urged motorists to take care when passing parked firefighting vehicles — there may be firefighters in front of them.
Tags: firefighter, hydrants,
