HomeMy WebLinkAboutEFD_AdoptAHydrant15
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Kaylin Eidsness, Senior Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-833-9537 • Fax 952-826-0389 • www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fire Department Encourages Residents To ‘Adopt A Hydrant’
Edina, Minn., June 23, 2015 – During a fire, every second counts. That’s why the Edina Fire Department
continues to encourage residents to “adopt a hydrant.”
“There are more fire hydrants in Edina than we can take care of ourselves,” said Fire Marshal Jeff Siems of the
1,876 hydrants in the City.
The success of the Adopt-A-Hydrant program depends on residents, organizations and groups that volunteer
to take care of hydrants in their neighborhoods. It takes 20 turns with a two- or three-foot wrench to open a
fire hydrant. Because of this, Fire Code requires a clear three-foot radius around a fire hydrant.
During snow storms, hydrants can be quickly covered in snow, but should be cleared and ready for
firefighters when they arrive on the scene of a fire. Residents can sign up at www.EdinaMN.gov/adopt-a-
hydrant to receive email reminders after large snowstorms to shovel out a hydrant in their neighborhood.
In the summer, people often plant flowers, bushes or other landscaping to hide or screen a hydrant on their
property. It’s important that hydrants remain visible, so that responding firefighters can quickly find the
hydrant closest to a fire.
Residents who adopt a hydrant are also encouraged to check the hydrant periodically for any leaks or cracks.
If a leak or crack is found, it should be reported to the Public Works Department, 952-826-0376 or
www.EdinaMN.gov/PublicWorks, as soon as possible. It can also be reported through the “Edina To Go”
mobile app.
In addition to keeping the area around fire hydrants clear, residents can help firefighters and the Public Works
Department by volunteering to paint one or more. Public Works will give paint to anyone interested in re-
painting a fire hydrant. It takes one can of fire-hydrant-red spray paint to paint a hydrant. Residents can pick
up the paint at the Public Works & Park Maintenance Facility, 7450 Metro Blvd.
“When residents adopt a hydrant, they aren’t just taking care of a hydrant, they could be saving a life,” said
Siems. “And it’s because of the valuable time they are saving by having the fire hydrant ready for firefighters
when they arrive.”
Siems said that many civic and church groups adopt hydrants, along with those doing community service or
working to receive a Scouting merit badge.
If you or your organization would like to volunteer to paint a hydrant or to inquire about whether one on
your property should be painted, call the Edina Public Works Department at 952-826-0376.
For more information or to adopt a hydrant, contact the Fire Department at 952-826-0339.
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