Is Your Hydrant Shoveled Out?

A new town ordinance in Simsbury requires that fire hydrants be kept clear of any obstructions that would impede the use or maintenance of a hydrant. The ordinance requires a three foot (3’) radius be cleared and an access strip five feet (5’) wide from the hydrant to the street.

Local firefighters need snow and ice removed from fire hydrants for quick access to the hydrant in case of a fire. One fire hydrant serves many homes, so the hydrant that would provide water in case of an emergency may be down the street.

In a fire department demonstration it took three firefighters approximately four minutes to sufficiently clear a hydrant to allow the fire hoses to be connected. In case of an emergency, every minute saved by having the hydrant already cleared is important. The firefighters are stressing that "a few minutes now can save lives and property later."

The ordinance requires the removal of “any item including but not limited to snow, vegetation, ground cover, fences, mailboxes or such that would impede any use or maintenance by Simsbury Fire District personnel.” The ordinance may be found at http://www.simsbury-ct.gov/sites/simsburyct/files/file/file/chapter_90_fire_hydrants_ordinance-proposed.pdf.