Updated: Clear Those Fire Hydrants

Although there is no county requirement for residents to clear snow from the hydrants, Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services Commissioner Joe Williams said “It is common sense, and could save our volunteers valuable time if responding to a fire in your community.”

Northport Fire Department Chief John Mckenna said residents should not only clear snow away from any hydrants directly in front of their home or business but those of their neighbors, too, if they haven't gotten around to it.

"The Commissioner's office states it is 'common sense.'  I say it is more than that. It should indeed be 'common concern,'" Chief McKenna said.  "We should all be concerned for our own safety and for the safety of our neighbors. If you have a hydrant on your property, be sure to dig it out on all sides. Leave enough room for a firefighter to bend down, hook up the hose and room enough to stand back so as to freely spin the wrench around the top to open the water supply."

McKenna noted in the photos attached to this article, the hydrant is cleared from the sidewalk. He encourages residents and business owners to clear it from the street as well as that is generally the direction from which firefighters will be approaching it.

Residents should also report issues with blocked hydrants to their local fire department.

The s non-emergency number is 261-7504. The 's non-emergency number is 261-0360.