The Westwood Fire Department has created a new program that will give citizens the chance to help the Fire Department. The Adopt-A-Hydrant program was created to help keep our 615± fire hydrants clear and available during the winter season. This will ensure hydrants are visible and will greatly speed the response time in case of an emergency. Time spent by firefighters searching for and clearing hydrants buried in drifts or plowed snow is precious time lost that could be spent saving a victim's life or fighting a spreading fire. Citizens and civic groups (Boy Scouts, local youth groups, local High School teams, etc.) can "adopt" a hydrant or hydrants in their neighborhood.

The people who adopt hydrants will help the Fire Department by keeping them clear of snow in the winter, as well as reporting blocked or damaged hydrants year round. Sign up online here.

Adopt a Hydrant

Safety guidelines for clearing snow from fire hydrants.

1. Stop shoveling if you experience shortness of breath or chest pain and call 911 or seek medical attention.
2. Clear at least a 3' circle of snow from the area around the hydrant.
3. Do not stand on the road way to shovel the hydrant and always be aware of all hazards including traffic.
4. Do not put the snow cleared from the hydrant back into the street, in driveways, on the sidewalk, or any other right of ways.
5. If any parts of the hydrant are missing, such as caps, record the closest address of the hydrant and call the Dedham Westwood Water District (781) 329-7090
6. If you have any water or ice coming from any opening of the hydrant, record the closest address of the hydrant to report and call the Dedham Westwood Water District (781) 329-7090.
7. Hand shoveling or using a snow blower is the best option for clearing snow from a hydrant, do not use a snow plow.
8. If working with a group to clear a number of hydrants, appoint a person to watch for hazards and traffic.
9. Only clear snow from hydrants during daylight hours.
10. Wear highly visible and proper weather related clothing when clearing snow from hydrants.