Thursday, January 1, 2009

Shovel around your own hydrant

Recently I sent an inquiry to Woodstock Asst. Director of Streets (hope I got the title right) Jeff Van Landuyt and Woodstock Fire/Rescue District Chief Ralph Webster, asking about snow removal around fire hydrants in Woodstock.

My thanks to them for clarifying for Woodstock residents as to whose responsibility it is to keep hydrants clear of snow. Below is their joint reply:

"The City depends upon its residents to keep hydrants clear of snow when accumulations reach the point where it is difficult for Fireman to locate or access them. Most residents who have a hydrant along the perimeter of their property understand the importance of digging them out and maintaining their accessibility if a fire was to occur. If a person is unable to clear snow from the hydrant and they call the Department of Public Works, we refer them to the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District at (815) 338-2621.

"The Woodstock Fire/Rescue District has mobile data terminals within their response vehicles that are outfitted with GIS based software that shows hydrant locations. The response vehicles also have shovels on them that can be used to dig out hydrants that might be buried in snow. Generally, the Fire/Rescue District has found that the hydrants may need to be shoveled out, but it is rare to find a hydrant that is froze up.

"Snow plow drivers are not provided with any specific instructions with regards to plowing snow near hydrants. Their #1 concern is removing snow from City streets to make them safe for travel. Each employee will use common sense and not push snow onto a hydrant if there is another place to push it. Most problems with snow packed around a hydrant are not recognized until after the snow removal efforts have been completed. As is typically the case, if snow accumulations reach a height that requires extraordinary measures to maintain the health and safety of the Woodstock community, the City would work with the Fire/Rescue District to minimize the risks that are present."

1 comment:

Kyle S. said...

In response to;

" Most residents who have a hydrant along the perimeter of their property understand the importance of digging them out and maintaining their accessibility if a fire was to occur."

I hope the City is aware of the importance NOT to make a situation worse for the residents the City "depends on.. to keep hydrants clear of snow..."

I understand a situation along a straight run of road; the plows just go up and down the street. If a hydrant is along the ROW, the driver can't do much about that. What I have a problem with is when the hydrants on corners and cul-de-sacs get buried because the driver is pushing snow from corner to corner or curb to curb(cul-de-sacs). I have to believe that a great number of hydrants are on corners and that he drivers are very aware of this fact. I remember there being discussions about charging residents on cul-de-sacs more for plowing because of the extra time it takes to work in them. If this is true, then I would expect better results when they are done. If snow storage is on the ROW is an issue, call the dump truck and loader and haul the snow to the park. Then I will understand the "cul-de-sac" gripe. Same goes for the street corners.