Fire Hydrant Challenge

mangus580 · Mar 1, 2015

This is something my wife started with my boys, who are home schooled, to encourage awareness of keeping fire hydrants clear.

We did a total of 9 today with the tractor (some we just cleaned up), and the boys shoveled 8 last week. A few were tough as they were on the other side of a shallow ditch (of course I was unaware how deep until I was in it LOL)

Many people don't think about the fact that every second counts when fighting a fire. Having the fire crew arrive to save your house (property), and then spend several minutes shoveling out a hydrant could be the difference of a total loss, vs some smoke damage.

I challenge every member in the snow belt to ensure their local hydrants are clear. We actually covered about a mile or two on our road today, and the boys (with my wifes help) have randomly chosen some that were safer to get to, and shovel by hand. Please use proper warning lights, and if possible, maybe have a second vehicle further down the road like we did today. My wife essentially took up half of the traffic lane on the side I was on with our suburban, with its lightbar running.

I should also caution, if you get too close to a hydrant with the auger of the blower... bad things happen!!

Chase Truck ('stock photo')

71bronco · Mar 1, 2015

No hydrants around here.

mangus580 · Mar 1, 2015

71bronco said:
No hydrants around here.

:thumbsup:

There's always one...... :laughing:

CDN Farm Boy · Mar 1, 2015

That's a great idea.

It's absolutely amazing how stupid people are. I've lost count of how many times I've torn a strip off people for shoveling or blowing snow onto them. The look of bewilderment people have when you point out that if the FD can't get water quick enough (or at all) it's their fault if a house or lives are lost because of it.

mangus580 · Mar 1, 2015

CDN Farm Boy said:
That's a great idea.

It's absolutely amazing how stupid people are. I've lost count of how many times I've torn a strip off people for shoveling or blowing snow onto them.

We drove by several today on our recon, that were actually snow PLOWED in.... buried in the back - was barely able to see the marker above it.

We would have done more, but there was a minor mishap involving a child's finger in a door of the suburban. Good news is, he was just in some pain for an hour or so, no real damage done!

CDN Farm Boy · Mar 1, 2015

Ya, the road plows bury their fair share of them too. Here in Ottawa, we actually have city workers that dig them out after the plows.... Or call bylaw if buried by other than the road plow.

Fingers and doors never mix well. Glad the youngster is OK.

mangus580 · Mar 1, 2015

More Pictures....

paulfun9 · Mar 1, 2015

mangus580 said:
:thumbsup:

There's always one...... :laughing:

Nearest fire hydrant to us is over 5 miles away! I would have to venture to say that counts as None around here. We did build a large pond down in the hollow so in the event of a fire water can be pumped from it as well as its great to have a small fishing hole and a place for a nice afternoon cook out.

ericher69 · Mar 1, 2015

mangus580 said:
This is something my wife started with my boys, who are home schooled, to encourage awareness of keeping fire hydrants clear. We did a total of 9 today with the tractor (some we just cleaned up), and the boys shoveled 8 last week. A few were tough as they were on the other side of a shallow ditch (of course I was unaware how deep until I was in it LOL) Many people don't think about the fact that every second counts when fighting a fire. Having the fire crew arrive to save your house (property), and then spend several minutes shoveling out a hydrant could be the difference of a total loss, vs some smoke damage. I challenge every member in the snow belt to ensure their local hydrants are clear. We actually covered about a mile or two on our road today, and the boys (with my wifes help) have randomly chosen some that were safer to get to, and shovel by hand. Please use proper warning lights, and if possible, maybe have a second vehicle further down the road like we did today. My wife essentially took up half of the traffic lane on the side I was on with our suburban, with its lightbar running. I should also caution, if you get too close to a hydrant with the auger of the blower... bad things happen!! <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/snow-removal/414511-fire-hydrant-challenge-20150301_144130-custom-jpg"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/snow-removal/414512-fire-hydrant-challenge-20150301_144648-custom-jpg"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/snow-removal/414513-fire-hydrant-challenge-20150301_145256-custom-jpg"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/snow-removal/414514-fire-hydrant-challenge-20150301_145311-custom-jpg"/> Chase Truck ('stock photo') <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/snow-removal/414515-fire-hydrant-challenge-img_0136-small-jpg"/>

I need to congratulate you and your kids for being conscientious about this issue! Rare find these days as almost EVERYONE thinks only about themselves. Keep up the great work spring is coming!

Sent from my iPhone 5s 64Gb using TractorByNet