For Many West Hartford Residents, Shoveling Fire Hydrants Paid Off

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Residents of West Hartford who helped clear snow from fire hydrants after last week’s blizzard are being recognized by town officials.

Following the Feb. 22–23 storm, the West Hartford Fire Department and the Town of West Hartford asked residents to shovel snow away from nearby hydrants and create accessible paths to them.

In an emergency, seconds count, officials said, and clearing hydrants can otherwise take firefighters weeks.

West Hartford has more than 1,300 hydrants. With the community’s help, officials said, they were cleared in one day.

More than 80 photos and 138 comments were submitted to the town’s Facebook page as part of the “Shovel Out a Hydrant” contest.

Town officials gave a special shout-out to Samantha Winningham’s child for clearing snow from three hydrants.

Four residents were randomly selected to receive either a $50 gift card or a ride in a fire truck:

• Nicoli Haskll
• Emily Hogeland
• Camix De la Vega
• Candice Kardulis

In addition, Dante Cistulli, owner of Zephyrs Street Pizza, donated $20 gift cards to 10 residents:

• Melissa Loranger
• Kate Bittinger Eikel
• Kate Martin
• Caitlyn Bransfield Ward
• Gail Frahm
• Kelani Carbonneau
• Amy Breck Ronkese
• Dean J. Levy
• Holly Fortier Killeen
• Rachel Goldberg

Town officials thanked the hundreds of residents who participated, saying the community effort significantly reduced the time needed to make hydrants accessible after the storm.

From Feb. 24: 'West Hartford Urges Residents To Clear Hydrants (And Possibly Win A Prize)'