Fire safety is a community effort, officials say. With 47 inches of snowfall already this season and public works crews still digging out after the Thanksgiving week storms, local fire departments are asking residents to help keep fire hydrants clear.
“The Ishpeming Fire Department and the city are asking for our residents’ help in heading off one very preventable potential winter disaster,” Ishpeming Fire Chief Ed Anderson said. “We want folks to adopt a fire hydrant and lend a hand to make sure the fire hydrants are clear of other snow and debris.”
Ishpeming has nearly 350 hydrants scattered around the city, Anderson said, the city’s public works employees are already busy keeping the roads clear.
“Imagine how hard and how long it would take you to shovel the fire hydrant clear of snow,” Anderson said in a previous interview. “It’s no different for the firefighters — it takes several minutes when seconds count.