Poughkeepsie FD Chief: Nearly 1,000 Fire Hydrants Need To Have Snow Cleared

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. -- When they aren't out fighting fires, City of Poughkeepsie firefighters are busy this week trying to clear almost 1,000 fire hydrants that were buried in snow and ice from Tuesday's Nor'easter.

Fire hydrants buried by the blizzard should be cleared for usage in the event of an emergency.
Photo Credit: *Town of Ramapo Police Department Facebook*

K Reakes

03/16/2017 4:30 p.m.

Fire Chief Mark Johnson said it was important for the hydrants to be cleared before the snow turns to ice and they will have to be chipped to be cleared.

That's why he's asking residents who have fire hydrants on their property to help out and clear the hydrants of any snow or ice.

"Legally, property owners are supposed to clear them," he said.

But the chief is more worried about someone's house burning down because of a frozen or snow encrusted fire hydrant.

"That's the real concern," he said.

In all there are 974 fire hydrants in the City of Poughkeepsie, on Thursday, firefighters were still out clearing with plenty more to go.

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