Above: The Fire Department is asking residents for help digging out hydrants and clearing space around them. (images from SFD Facebook posts and website)
Both before the storm hit, and as it was waning, the Southborough Fire Department asked the public to help them help us. And the crew’s response to a recent house fire is a reminder of why the initiative is important.
In a Facebook post, the SFD promoted the Adopt-A-Hydrant as a “small way” for the public “to make a big difference”:
If you’re able, please shovel a three foot space around your nearest fire hydrant. Keeping hydrants visible and accessible can save critical time during an emergency.
The department is happy to help verify the service hours for student volunteers who lend a hand. They’ll also promote photos on social media thanking volunteers for their efforts.
Five years ago, the SFD launched the program asking residents to help ensure firefighters can locate and access hydrants quickly. They remind the public in Facebook posts each winter. (But it’s been a few years since there has been enough snow on the ground for me to notice and remind readers!)
The dedicated page on the Town’s website stresses how rapidly fire can spread while firefighters are busy clearing hydrants for use. And speaking of fires, members of the SFD helped battle a house fire in Marlborough less than two weeks ago. (Scroll down for more news about that.)
Below are more details about the Adopt-A-Hydrant from the Town’s website:
Southborough firefighters need your help with increasing the safety of lives and property in our community by joining our Adopt-A-Hydrant program.
During the winter months, fire hydrants throughout our community become buried in snow and ice, which makes it hard for firefighters to find and operate them. Time spent by firefighters searching for and clearing hydrants buried in deep snow, drifts, or plowed snow or covered in ice, is precious time lost that could be spent saving a victim’s life or extinguishing a spreading fire. A fire doubles in size every 30-seconds and it can take firefighters over 5-minutes to fully clear hydrants for use, so every second saved is truly vital to a positive outcome.
The Adopt-A-Hydrant program urges residents, business owners, students, and civic groups to adopt one or more fire hydrants close to their home or business and keep it/them clear of snow and ice throughout the winter months following the safety considerations & guidelines for clearing listed below. Participants are also asked to help keep the area around fire hydrants clear of weeds, leaves, and shrubbery during the warmer months and report any damage or issues to the Department of Public Works.
Participants are encouraged to take photos with their cleared hydrants and share them with the Southborough Fire Department Facebook Page or email [the Fire Department at aporter@southboroughma.com].
For more information, questions, or if you are a student who would like to adopt a hydrant as part of your community service requirements, please email [Firefighter Matt Rice at mrice@southboroughma.com].
Thank you for your help, you will truly be making a difference.
The page shares the following details on proper clearance:
GUIDELINES FOR CLEARING SNOW FROM FIRE HYDRANTS
- Clear any snow and ice accumulated on the hydrant by hand, do not use tools that could damage the hydrant.
- Clear at least 3 feet in all directions around the hydrant.
- Do not paint, mark, alter, or otherwise personalize any fire hydrants.
- Do not put the snow cleared from the hydrant back into the street, in driveways, on the sidewalk, or any other right-of-way.
- Hand shoveling or using a snowblower is the best option for clearing snow from a hydrant, do not use a snowplow.
- If you observe any damage or water or ice coming from any opening, please record the closest address to the hydrant and call the Southborough Department of Public Works at 508-485-1210.
It also shares safety cautions for anyone participating:
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS FOR CLEARING SNOW FROM FIRE HYDRANTS
- Always wear highly visible and proper weather-related clothing when clearing snow from hydrants.
- Be especially cautious of fallen and snow-covered debris, live wires, etc. following storms.
- Do not stand in the road to shovel the hydrant and always be aware of all hazards including traffic.
- If you experience shortness of breath or chest pain STOP immediately and call 911 or seek medical attention.
- Whenever possible have a second person act as a lookout for hazards and traffic.
As for the recent fire, the SFD posted:
Southborough Firefighters responded to this 3rd Alarm fire in Marlborough today. Crews operated on the 2nd and 3rd floors for fire attack and searching for pockets of hidden fire.
A reader also contributed a photo (above right), and Marlborough public access station covered the incident:
