Residents asked to help keep hydrants clear
(Photo by MARY MALONE) Selkirk Fire, Rescue and EMS is asking community members to clear snow from around fire hydrants in their neighborhood.
SANDPOINT — Selkirk Fire, Rescue and EMS is asking community members to help out by clearing snow from around fire hydrants in their neighborhoods.
Clint Frank, Selkirk engineer, said a two-foot area cleared around hydrants would be sufficient so fire crews can get to them in an emergency. He said all hydrants should have a high-visibility stake marking them. With those markers, crews can locate the hydrants, so he said that is not the issue.
""We are just looking for help from city residents just to help speed up the process when we need to use them," Frank said, adding that they are not only looking for help from those within the city of Sandpoint, but anyone in the coverage area of Northside, Westside, and Sagle fire districts as well.
He said with more than 600 hydrants just in Sandpoint, it is difficult for crews to get out and uncover each one when it snows.
If anyone knows of a buried hydrant near them but needs assistance to dig it out, Frank said to call Selkirk at 208-263-3502. Also, if anyone knows of a hydrant that does not have a high-visibility marker, they should call that number as well.