Adopt a Hydrant Program

    As winter approaches The Riverdale Fire Department is kicking-off their 2003 Adopt-A-Hydrant program. The Borough of Riverdale has over 130 hydrants and less than 30 volunteer firefighters. In the event of a fire emergency the amount of time to connect to a hydrant could go from seconds to minutes when a hydrant is buried in snow. Any delay in putting water on a fire could be devastating to life and property. Historically it takes the volunteer firefighters 3-5 days to clear the snow from the hydrants. This is especially difficult when people burry a hydrant with snow from snow blowers and snow plows.

    Three years ago, in an effort to reduce the timeframe needed to clear snow from all hydrants an Adopt-A-Hydrant campaign targeting the Riverdale Middle School was initiated.  "I sent out flyers to 6-8th graders asking for their help in clearing snow from a hydrant near their home." said Chief Pat Cleary. "Then at the end of the school year the Fire Department recognized the individuals who volunteered their time."  The response has been increasing each year, but participation is still not where it needs to be. At this years fire prevention open house we promoted the program and a few additional residents joined. The fire department would like to educate all residents about the danger involved in burring hydrants with snow, as well as, request their assistance in clearing the snow from the hydrants so they are accessible from the road.

Anyone interested in the Adopt-A-Hydrant program can get additional information at the fire department website www.RiverdaleFD.net

Adopt a Hydrant Program