Ottawa Fire Services recognizes ‘Hydrant Hero’

A fire hydrant is cleared of snow to allow firefighters quick access when responding to a call. (Kimberley Fowler/CTV News Ottawa)

Not all heroes wear capes, some of them carry shovels.

“It’s almost like getting a community medal or something,” said Orleans resident Daniel Lamothe. “It’s an acknowledgement of the time taken.”

After record-breaking snow fall in Ottawa this winter, Lamothe has continuously cleared snow from around the fire hydrant located on his front lawn. His actions helped firefighters contain a house fire a couple of doors down to the basement, preventing it from spreading.

“I don’t do it for the recognition, but the one time a couple weeks ago that it was needed, I know it made the difference,” said Lamothe who was presented with a “Champion Coin” from the Ottawa Fire Services on Thursday.

On Feb. 25, Ottawa firefighters responded to a call for a fire on Sugar Creek Way, in Orleans. Firefighters initiated a fast attack and were able get a firehose inside the home quickly, thanks to the fire hydrant that was cleared of snow on Lamothe’s property.

According to the city’s water bylaw, if a fire hydrant is located on your property, you’re responsible for clearing any obstructions around it. In the event of a fire, it could make all the difference for when firefighters arrive on scene.

“The individual few houses down had his hydrant cleared,” explained Nick DeFazio, Ottawa Fire Services Public Information Office. “Our crews’ responses are fast, and in this case, they contained (the fire) to the basement, and it didn’t consume the entire house because they did have a quick attack and put it out. But not having the hydrant could have made a difference in this call, and as you can see the other closest hydrant to the fire was buried in snow.”

The City of Ottawa maintains more than 23,000 fire hydrants, and in the wintertime encourages everyone to be a “Hydrant Hero,” by clearing at least 0.5 metres around a hydrant.

“The importance of clearing the hydrant is the first pump that arrives on scene can run out of water within three minutes. The second pump that arrives will hook up to a hydrant and feed that pump, so they don’t run out of water,” explained DeFazio. “If a hydrant’s buried, it could take anywhere upwards of 10, 15, 12 minutes to clear out that hydrant before it’s hooked up and that first pump could run out of water.”

The city says snow removal contractors are reminded to not pile snow over or against hydrants when clearing pathways and driveways in the winter, and if residents are unable to clear the hydrant on your property to call 3-1-1.