'Keep Em Clear,' Waukesha Fire Department Says Of Fire Hydrants

WAUKESHA, WI—Dig out and clear off your fire hydrant and you could win a pizza party.

The Waukesha Fire Department responded to a residential fire on Tuesday where all the hydrants in the area were hidden by snow drifts.

Joseph Hoffman, Waukesha Assistant Fire Chief, told Patch this inspired them to offer a chance for residents to win a pizza party.

The request?

Take advantage of the warmer weather and please dig out the hydrant by your home. Posta photo of the dug-out hydrant and post it on the City of Waukesha Facebook page. This Friday, February 26, at 9 a.m. staff will pick a random winner from the comments to receive a pizza delivered by the Fire Department.

Hoffman looked online on Tuesday night and saw 20 pictures already posted.

"We thought it would be a great idea way to get the word out and increase some community pride," Hoffman told Patch.

Here are some of the comments from the City of Waukesha Facebook page:

A Facebook user, said, "Always keep in mind to picture two fireman in full gear have to be able to fit in the area to do their job."

Another user said "My husband goes down the block to clear this hydrant which in front of a rental so we all can be safe!"

Another user said, "The snow is over the mailboxes on each side, but the fire hydrant stays clear."

Hoffman said the city staff and Water Utility Department works hard to uncover the hydrants but with more snow the problem increases.

A covered hydrant during a fire will delay fire fighters to get water to the apparatus. There is water on the rigs to make an initial attack on the fire.

"The problem exists more for large scale fires where we need to get water from the hydrant to be able to support the operation," Hoffman said.

While the weather is warming up, Hoffman cautions people to not let nature melt the snow. He said the sooner it gets cleared the better and safer the community will be.