Winter Storm Hernando NYC 2/22/26 - 2/23/26

Back in a really big snowstorm in the 1990's I was the Captain of Engine 26 in Midtown. The plow trucks kept burying the hydrants over and over again, so it was hard to find hydrants to dig them out. Someone came up with the idea of taking 1" by 3", 10 foot long, boards and wiring or Duct Taping them vertically to the hydrants and painting the top with orange spray paint. The plows still kept reburying the hydrants but at least we could really find where they were., so we could dig them out. Also, Truck/Ladder Companies ensure the Roof Team/Roofman has a snow shovel available to clear away a spot on the roof for roof ventilation, if needed. All companies should have snow shovels on the rig at all times in the Winter. Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired
 
Back in a really big snowstorm in the 1990's I was the Captain of Engine 26 in Midtown. The plow trucks kept burying the hydrants over and over again, so it was hard to find hydrants to dig them out. Someone came up with the idea of taking 1" by 3", 10 foot long, boards and wiring or Duct Taping them vertically to the hydrants and painting the top with orange spray paint. The plows still kept reburying the hydrants but at least we could really find where they were., so we could dig them out. Also, Truck/Ladder Companies ensure the Roof Team/Roofman has a snow shovel available to clear away a spot on the roof for roof ventilation, if needed. All companies should have snow shovels on the rig at all times in the Winter. Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine
That’s a lot of work. Other cities/towns have a long orange rod attached to the hydrant that can be seen well above most snow levels. City should do that.
Also MPO’s & all members of both engine & truck should know where the hydrant’s are located in their district, every company does hydrant inspections.
 
^^^ Just a thought on shovels on the Rig.....i always kept four shovels on my Rig's where i was assigned .....two Flat Bladed for snow & or sand & or wet cement etc in a collapse & or construction accident.....also two pointed Spades for harder dirt or packed snow....not that you always would need two at once but having a second one is good in case one breaks in use .....also best to have one of each be a short handle & the other a long handle.
 
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