Mineola Fire Dept. Continues 'Adopt-a-Hydrant' Drive

The following article was submitted by Robert Connolly.

As the 2014 blizzard besieged Mineola on January 3, many school children were elated to hear the words “Snow day” as schools closed for the first major snow of the season. While most children thought about sleigh rides and snowmen, some also prepared to help their community by clearing their local fire hydrant.

Last October the Mineola Fire Department initiated an Adopt-A-Hydrant program to offer residents and businesses an opportunity to enhance their fire protection by providing a simple service to the village, caring for a fire hydrant.

Countless times over the years Mineola firefighters have been seen touring the streets clearing hydrants of snow after the big storms. This effort takes many days and obstructed fire hydrants could make the difference in getting a water supply in place to fight a fire.

The Adopt a Hydrant program is designed “for you to help us help you.” The goal is to enlist the help of residents and business owners of all ages and ask them to make a pledge to adopt their local fire hydrant.

The task is simple: whenever snow falls the department asks that you clear the hydrant so that firefighters have quick access to it.

To enroll, please e-mail the chief's office at chief@mineolafd.com. The department requests that residents and business owners provide their name, address, phone number and/or e-mail address and the location of the hydrant you would like to adopt. Once the department receives your request it will send out a confirmation “adoption certificate.”

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