Fire hydrants buried in snow a safety concern, digging them out a ‘constant struggle’

HALIFAX – Crews are digging out thousands of fire hydrants covered by snow from recent storms, but Halifax Water describes it as a “constant struggle.”

On Monday, employees were busy clearing snow from hydrants using shovels and backhoes.

“As it snows, the city crews are going around doing their best job to get the snow off the streets and that creates snow banks which cover the hydrants,” said spokesman James Campbell.

There are approximately 7,500 fire hydrants in the municipality and not all of them have flags that are visible above the snow.

Campbell says their priority is to clear the ones around schools, hospitals and seniors’ homes.

However, not all hydrants near schools are cleared yet and that has parents concerned. At Crichton Park School in Dartmouth, the hydrant on the sidewalk was completely covered by snow except for its flag.

“It doesn’t seem very safe. If you needed immediate access, they’d be dug into snow banks,” said parent Leigh-Anne Hiltz as she picked her children up during the lunch hour.

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“Fire hydrants should be out.”

Firefighters are so concerned, they have been digging out hydrants on their own. On the weekend, a group of off-duty firefighters cleared about 20 hydrants in Dartmouth.

“In case of emergency, it’s too late to be digging it out,” said Joe Triff, a member of Halifax Professional Fire Fighters Association.

“Seconds are critical and the more time we’re spending on scene trying to clear a hydrant, the less time there is water going into a fire truck.”

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Firefighters say they need to be able to access the hydrant’s cap in front to connect the supply line, as well as have enough room to turn a wrench around the top. Failing that, just making the hydrant visible is a big help.

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That’s why both the firefighters’ union and Halifax Water are asking residents to “adopt” a fire hydrant by clearing the ones near their homes.

“Just help us keep it clear. You’re helping us but you’re helping yourself,” said Triff.

“It’s important for everybody: yourself, your neighbours, your family.”