MICHIGAN, USA — With blizzard-like conditions hitting West Michigan comes winter chores. Brushing off the car, shoveling the driveway and digging out fire hydrants.
Every 30 seconds to a minute, a fire can double in size depending on what's burning.
In 2022, 13 ON YOUR SIDE timed Walker firefighters to see how long it takes to clear a hydrant. It took them 53 seconds.
However, Walker Fire Marshall Kevin Degroot said at the time they used two people and the snow was very light.
"We won't typically drop two people at a fire hydrant," Degroot said. "It's just one person that grabs the equipment they need and they drive away, so obviously depending on snow conditions and only one person the time is extended and that's just time we can't get back."
It's the responsibility of the homeowner whose property the hydrant is on to keep it clear.
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs recommends you need an area of 3 feet clear on all sides of a hydrant, as well as clearing a path from the hydrant to the street.
The time it could take a firefighter to clear the hydrant could be the difference between life and death.
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