Help Us Help You: Fire Chiefs Ask Residents to Shovel Out Hydrants

Washington Township is not immune to snow. In fact, winters in the area can often produce a beautiful landscape.

But when snow piles up and multiple storm systems compound each other, the landscape can become one made of mounds of snow just waiting to melt.

In the case of fire hydrants in the area, that can be a serious problem.

The fire chiefs of Washington Township are asking for the community’s help in digging out hydrants around town, and ask any resident who has a hydrant in front of their home or close by to take the time to shovel it out so it will be visible and accessible to responding fire companies.

In a fire, the chiefs said, when seconds count, a cleared fire hydrant can make a world of difference when battling a blaze.

A three-foot radius or more around the hydrant makes for the best access.

The Washington Township Fire Department consists of an all-volunteer firefighting force, with three companies – Schooley’s Mountain, Long Valley, and Fairmount.

Subscribe to Long Valley Patch’s free daily newsletter for more local news, and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox, by clicking here.