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Photo: City fire clearing snow from around hydrant

By Howard B. Owens

Firefighters clear snow from around a fire hydrant on Clifton Avenue, Batavia. There are some 640 hydrants in the city. A firefighter noted, "I know it's our job, but we can't get to them all." He said it would be great if residents would adopt the hydrants on their streets and help keep them clear of snow. "After all," he said, "it's their property we're trying to protect."

Bernie Thompson

Adopt a Fire Hydrant!
Not only have I already done this,have also adopted 4 houses as well!
Have a few older people on my street that are unable to shovel so I blow snow for them.
Just wish that others would do the same. Yes I know the law says home owners are responsible for their property but if YOU LIVE THERE don’t you feel you should help out as well?

Feb 11, 2015, 4:30pm Permalink
Brian Graz

Seems that with an annual budget of $3.9Million, and the small number of major fires the City averages, there should be enough money for the FD to hire some school kids to help clear the hydrants when and as needed.

Feb 12, 2015, 3:02pm Permalink
Brian Graz

Well... since my previous post to use some of the $3.9Millon budgeted for the BFD to hire some city school kids to help with the hydrant clearing mission got mainly negative votes. If it is the BFD's obligation to do it... THEY BETTER GET IT DONE ASAP! The City of Batavia has budgeted paying $2 Million in base salaries and $125,000 in overtime for the Fire Dept. and they say "I know it's our job, but we can't get to them all."

"The fire department proposed budget is $3.9 million, with $2 million in base salaries, $125,000 in overtime... "
http://thebatavian.com/howard-owens/council-response-budget-muted-and-m…

Feb 13, 2015, 6:46pm Permalink
Ed Hartgrove

Talk about conflicting messages.
From http://thebatavian.com/howard-owens/photo-city-fire-clearing-snow-aroun… , we read (A firefighter noted, "I know it's our job, but we can't get to them all." )

Then again, from http://www.thedailynewsonline.com/news/article_c6e94c58-b0f0-11e4-97d6-… , we read ("As for other snow-related issues, property owners are reminded that it is their responsibility to keep fire hydrants clear of snow, Fire Chief Jim Maxwell said."

Does anybody really know whose job it is, does anybody really care?

Kind of reminds me of a song I heard somewhere.

Feb 13, 2015, 2:06am Permalink
Doug Yeomans

If a hydrant is on your street, and needs to be uncovered, maybe you should feel obligated to keep it clear whether it's your legal responsibility or not. How about everyone pitching in to help their neighbors. I think if I had a hydrant in front of my house and I neglected to keep it clear, I'd feel like a smug prick if something bad happened to a neighbor because of it. If someone slipped on the ice in front of you, would you just walk over them and say "Hey, it's not MY job to help you up! Call 911, biotch!"

Feb 13, 2015, 10:04pm Permalink
John Roach

Doug is right. If is in front of your house, clear it. If you see one that a neighbor can not take care, do it.

If you have one in front of your house and can not do it, pick up the phone and let the fire department know

Feb 14, 2015, 7:00am Permalink

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