West Metro Fire-Rescue Reminds Residents To Adopt a Hydrant This Winter
It’s the same ask, year after year–yet the need remains the same, and it could be a matter of life-or-death.
West Metro Fire-Rescue District Deputy Fire Marshal Shelby Wolf said her department, which covers Crystal and New Hope, typically sees 15-20 new families each year sign up to adopt a fire hydrant near their homes.
“They can help by clearing the hydrant, like a three-foot radius around. They can make a path to the hydrant,” said Wolf. “Seconds matter. Fire triples in size every 20, 30 seconds, so if it’s buried and we can’t find it, that’s time away. We have water on our trucks, but sometimes you need more water.”
West Metro Fire-Rescue firefighters need help keeping fire hydrants clear of piled-up snow this winter.
She reminds residents that snow can pile up quickly, and the longer it sits through a thaw-melt cycle, the easier it is for it to become more and more difficult to keep clear.
“It gets packed, (and) turns to ice,” she said. “We have shovels on the truck, but when it’s packed with ice, it takes that much longer, if you can even get clear. So, if you start early, at least with the first snow fall, just keep clearing it away.”
The sign-up to take care of one of the hundreds of hydrants in the two cities is fast, easy, and free.
“All they’ve got to do is give me their name, number, email, and address, and just let us know what hydrant they want to adopt,” said Wolf.
