'Adopt a Hydrant' Program Key in Battling Fires During Snow, Ice Events in Prince William County

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — In a winter program designed to greatly help rescue personnel during snow- and ice-related events, Prince William Fire and Rescue have a simple request: Please adopt a fire hydrant.

Make it your own, and make sure it's always clear of snow and ice. That's the request from Robert Wall, the department's public education coordinator.

"As we get into winter, we have to be aware that when we start getting a significant amount of snow, the fire hydrants get blocked," he said in a release. "That hinders emergency crews.

"When you call us for a fire and a fire hydrant is blocked with snow and ice, it's very difficult. They have to clear that before they can get to your situation in some cases."

Residents are asked to visit the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue's Facebook page and leave a comment or visit the department's website for an application.

People can also contact Wall directly at 703-304-9771 or rwall@pwcgov.org. Once the application is completed, the department will issue a certificate that can be taken to Home Depot and exchanged for a tall, flexible, orange, snow stick to place into the ground near the hydrant as an additional measure to help emergency crews find the hydrant.

The department asks that people participating in the program keep the snow and ice cleared by three feet around their adopted fire hydrants.

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