Thursday night members of Madison Hose Company # 1 and North Madison Volunteer Fire Company volunteered several hours of time clearing the 320 fire hydrants around the town of snow and ice from last weekends storm. During our work, we were grateful to see many hydrants had already been cleared, thank you very much to those who helped us with this effort!

Clear and accessible fire hydrants provide the water that is essential for firefighters to perform quickly and operate safely when a fires occur. An uncleared fire hydrant is more difficult to locate and must be cleared before it can operate and supply the water needed to extinguish a fire. Uncleared hydrants slow down firefighters and waste precious time necessary for the protection of life safety and property loss.

You can help Madison firefighters, your neighbors and your family by helping to clear hydrants near you after a snow storm. A clear fire hydrant should be cleared with a minimum 3 foot circumference around the hydrant and should be cleared of snow and ice to the street. Please consider pitching in the next time it snows and clear a fire hydrant near you, it will be time well spent!