Keep areas around fire hydrants free of snow and other debris

SIOUX CITY (KTIV) – Captain Ryan Collins of the Sioux City Fire Department said that we had a pretty good winter so far this year. Many people who grew up in this area know that the area can get a lot of snow. Until here, we were very lucky.

However, with the last snowfall and Tuesday night's snow forecast, it is quite possible that some of the fire mouths are beginning to be buried, especially when the snow is displaced and the residents are not at home. current of their location.

"We have thousands of power outlets in Sioux City, so it's not possible for us to remove the areas around the hydrants. We ask the residents to clean a space about three feet around the fire hydrant and create a path leading to the street or the roadway, which allows us to lay our pipes up. at the mouth of the fire. Having a clear bollard is useless if we do not have a clear path to follow, "said Captain Collins.

If firefighters can clear their way to the latching mouth, this allows them to establish connections with the fire hydrant to supply the engine with water.

Sioux City fire rescue engines carry a limited amount of water. Most engines will carry around 500 gallons of water, which is only about three minutes of water once the firefighters start using it. Firefighters want to replenish this water supply as quickly as possible. If it takes three minutes to empty a tank, it can take three minutes for a firefighter to clean the area around the fire hydrant and continue to make the connection.

Hurry up. In case of emergency, firefighters should have water as soon as possible.