Residents invited to adopt a fire hydrant
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department invites members of the public to adopt a fire hydrant.
Those who adopt a hydrant will be responsible for clearing snow and ice after storms and removing grass, leaves, and trash to ensure it is visible and accessible.
“This initiative is designed to enhance community safety and ensure that fire hydrants remain accessible in emergencies,” the fire department states. “Immediate access to a water supply helps to swiftly extinguish the fire and prevent loss of life and property.”
Participation in the Adopt A Hydrant program “is a simple way to make a big impact,” the fire department says.
To begin the adoption process, view the map on the Adopt A Hydrant website and search for a hydrant in your community. If the hydrant is available, select “Adopt this Hydrant!” and submit your contact information. Once your application is reviewed, you will receive an adoption certificate via email.
Adopters should not paint or decorate their hydrant, try to open or tamper with it, or obstruct access to it.
If your hydrant is damaged, contact [email protected].
Cool idea – but have to ask – why are we at the point where volunteers have to maintain infrastructure and taxes pay for BoS art projects and traffic clogging bike lanes on high volume roads? These feels so odd when BoS gave themselves a huge pay raise, want to close lake Accotink, and refuse to enforce code in residential neighborhoods.
Excellent points!
Thank you! I just officially adopted the one in from of our house. I always thought that fire hydrants were like sidewalks where the home owner had responsibility to help maintain access. It’s so much more efficient when a singular snow event occurs and clearing needs to happen soon after that the folks near the hydrant take ownership of the task. Happy to be part of the solution!
How soon before Fairfax County encourages its taxpayers to “adopt” a mile of street and take responsibility for filling in potholes and repaving the road every three years?
Don’t even start about the lack of sufficient pickleball courts and the need for more effective code enforcement.
Thanks for sharing, Shelby. May we also encourage neighbors to remove snow on sidewalks to ensure safe paths to schools and walking in general in a timely manner. Altho Arlington and Alexandria have reqmts for removing snow, Fairfax County only encourages resident removal. There were many dangerous icy swaths of sidewalks during the two storms last year on school routes and walking paths in general. Lets all please consider shoveling for those neighbors unable to do so.