Fire Hydrant Maintenance Program - Every Second CountsTuesday, August 07, 2012 Locate the fire hydrants closest to your home and take a vested interest in ensuring they are clear of debris, plants, shrubs, and parked cars. The City is taking great steps to ensure fire hydrants are operating at optimal levels, but residents can make a big difference in ensuring fire hydrants are accessible to fire crews when and if they are needed. |
Fire Hydrants can be taken for granted. We walk by them every day, we drive by them every day, and we landscape around them in our yards every week. However in an emergency situation, a fire hydrant can be the difference between minor repairs and major heartbreak.
In 2011, Ogden City’s Fire department and Water Utility division revamped Ogden’s fire hydrant maintenance program. The Fire department began conducting inspections on fire hydrants in the area to ensure they were functioning and accessible. The results of their findings prompted the Water Utility division to make repairs and adjustments as needed.
This is great news for the citizens of Ogden. It is comforting to know measures have been taken to ensure fire hydrants are performing at optimal levels and are ready to be put into service if a fire threatens property or lives.
In 2012 already, more than 80 hydrants have been raised or adjusted to provide maximum workability to fire crews. Many others have been made more useable and accessible through landscaping alterations and other means. In an emergency, every second is precious.
Another component of the fire hydrant maintenance program has included updating the data available in the geographic information system (GIS). As new hydrants are installed or repaired, GIS data is updated and shared simultaneously to ensure fire crews have the most accurate information available when they are called to fight a fire.
While the City will continue efforts to keep its hydrants in optimal working order, there are many things residents can do to help:
- Never park within fifteen feet (15’) of any fire hydrant
- Never plant shrubs or trees within ten feet (10’) of a fire hydrant
- Immediately report any fire hydrant vandalism or damage to Ogden City’s Water Utility division.
With the extreme fire danger this season, it is important for Ogden and its citizens to work together to provide fire crews the tools they need to protect lives and property. Residents have the power to help the heroes of the Ogden City Fire department help themselves and their own neighbors and neighborhoods.