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The Medway Fire Department Announces New Adopt A Fire Hydrant Program!

Posted on: December 15, 2020 - 1:29pm
ADOPT A FIRE HYDRANT

With our first significant snowstorm anticipated to arrive this week, The Medway Fire Department and Fasolino Landscaping Design & Construction are teaming up on a new program, Adopt-A-Hydrant!

This program will allow the residents of Medway to partner with the Medway Fire Department and the Town to make sure our towns' fire hydrants are cleared of snow.

HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS

Residents locate a hydrant in close proximity to their home and commit to clearing the hydrant after this weeks' snowstorm.  All you have to do is post a picture to the Medway Fire Department's Fb page sharing your name, the street address of the hydrant you picked, and a picture showing that you cleared it of snow (instructions on clearing below). Your name will then be entered into a raffle. The lucky winner will receive a FREE driveway snowplow for the next significant storm from Fasolino Landscaping Design & Construction.

WHY WE ARE DOING THIS

A snow-covered fire hydrant can take away precious minutes from the Fire Department. Adopting a hydrant will ensure hydrants in Medway are visible and can greatly speed the response in case of an emergency. Time spent by firefighters searching for and clearing hydrants buried in drifts or plowed snow is precious time lost that could be spent saving a victim's life or fighting a spreading fire.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

All Medway residents are encouraged to participate.  Civic groups such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Youth Groups, and High School teams can "adopt" a hydrant or hydrants in their neighborhood. It's a great way to give back.

SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR CLEARING SNOW FROM FIRE HYDRANTS

  • Stop shoveling if you experience shortness of breath or chest pain and call 911 or seek medical attention.
  • For Best Access: Clear at least a 5' circle of snow from the area around the hydrant.
  • Do not stand on the roadway to shovel the hydrant and always be aware of all hazards including traffic.
  • Do not put the snow cleared from the hydrant back into the street, in driveways, on the sidewalk, or any other right of way.
  • If any parts of the hydrant are missing, such as caps, record the closest address of the hydrant and call the Medway DPW (508) 533-3275 or email dps@townofmedway.org
  • If you notice any water or ice coming from any opening of the hydrant, record the closest address of the hydrant and call the DPW at 508-533-3275 to report it or email dps@townofmedway.org.
  • Hand shoveling is the best option for clearing snow from a hydrant, do not use a snowplow.
  • If working with a group to clear a number of hydrants, appoint a person to watch for hazards and traffic.
  • Only clear snow from hydrants during daylight hours.
  • Wear highly visible and proper weather-related clothing when clearing snow from hydrants.