The Crookston Fire Department is starting an Adopt-A-Hydrant program in the City of Crookston to hopefully keep hydrants clear of ice and snow in the event of a fire. Hydrants that are clear give firefighters the ability to immediately attach hoses and start fighting when arriving on the scene of a fire. If hydrants aren’t clear of snow and ice, firefighters may have to take several minutes clearing the snow and ice themselves before starting the fight, which could result in significant damage caused by a fire.
Crookston Firefighter Shane Heldstab said an interactive map (ckn.mn/hydrant) showing the hydrants will be available on the City of Crookston website. “This year something that we’re going to start is try to push an interactive map for the general public to Adopt-A-Hydrant,” said Heldstab. “Everybody knows that winter comes with cold and snow. We always try to stress to residents and businesses that we keep hydrants around their area clear [of snow] for three feet on all sides. If we have an active fire, instead of the department having to shovel out around the fire hydrant, people don’t realize how appreciated and how important it is to access those hydrants right away if they are already clear.”
Heldstab added the hope is individuals, groups, and organizations will step forward to adopt their local hydrants. “We’ve come up with an interactive map,” said Heldstab. “What you’ll be able to do is either call the Fire Department or email the Fire Department to adopt a hydrant around your area. Anybody can participate, whether its an individual, family, group of neighbors, community organizations, schools, or businesses. You can go onto a map that is going to be on the City of Crookston’s website. You’ll be able to zoom in and see that we have over 400 hydrants in town. What we’re asking is that you find one near your home and choose to adopt it. Once you find one you’d like to adopt we ask that you call the Fire Department at 281-4584 or email at cfd@crookston.mn.us with the information that you’d like displayed for that hydrant. We’ll get that on the map, and we ask that once you adopt it you keep it for the season and keep it clear of snow and ice for three feet by three feet.”
The Fire Department plans to recognize those who’ve adopted hydrants by naming a Hydrant Hero every month. “Hopefully, we get enough action to drum up and can have a Hydrant Hero every month,” said Heldstab. “The only way to do that is to adopt it and once you’ve adopted it you’ll be eligible to be nominated as our hydrant hero of the month. Once again if you have any questions please call the Fire Hall.”
Learn more about the Crookston Fire Department’s Adopt-A-Hydrant Program on Valley Talk Friday morning at 10:45 a.m. on KROX.
