Fire chiefs in local departments are reminding residents and business owners to make sure the hydrants on their blocks are shoveled out and cleared of snow.
Fire hydrants all over town are buried in snow following the weekend nor’easter that dropped 16-20 inches on Riverhead.
That’s a potentially dangerous situation, because if there’s a fire to put down, a snow-covered, blocked hydrant is hard to find and even harder to access. The resulting delay in accessing the hydrant and connecting a hose could mean more property damage and increase the risk of personal injury or even loss of life.
Jamsport Fire Department Chief Duffy Griffiths said his survey of the Jamesport Fire District today showed nearly all the hydrants remain buried in snow. He implored residents to dig out nearby hydrants.
Wading River Fire Chief Denise Gluck agreed. It’s really important, especially with the extreme cold since the snowstorm, which means firefighters are dealing with frozen water and difficulty getting other departments to respond with tanker trucks to supply water.
Gluck said some of the department’s younger volunteers went out to dig out hydrants in the district, but they can’t clear them all and need help from residents.
Access to a hydrant at the scene of a fire is critical Riverhead Fire Chief Bill Kelly Jr. said. He said snow should be cleared away 3 feet on all sides of the hydrant.
Every second counts when firefighters are responding to a working fire, Kelly said.
“If we get to a scene and can’t find it or have to dig it out, that takes time to do,” he said.
“The faster we can get water on the fire, the faster we can out it out,” Kelly said.
“People don’t realize how important a hydrant is — until you need one,” Gluck said.
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