Firefighter urges residents to clear snow from hydrant

There can be up to ten minutes saved in an emergency situation if snow is cleared away from hydrants on a resident’s yard. 

Wembley Fire Chief Matthew Smith is hoping people can take the time after each snowfall because it could make a big difference when crews arrive at the scene of a house fire.

“You have a ton of things going on. You are looking at the house, you are trying to get an idea of the area and if there is any exposure. Sometimes, it is quite difficult to see where the fire hydrants actually are,” Smith explained from the firefighter point of view. “The key process in getting set up on these emergencies is finding the hydrant before you get to the house.” 

The water access points are located further back in the yards in the Town of Wembley, but Smith explains that it is important to dig them out in all parts of the region.