GREEN BAY (NBC 26) — Right after a snow storm fire officials say it’s extremely important we not only clear off sidewalks but also clear our street’s fire hydrant.
“So it’s really important to have a fire hydrant shoveled out especially in the winter when there’s a lot of snow and it can easily get piled up because we need those fire hydrants due to a fire happening”, said Lieutenant Shauna Walesh with the Green Bay Metro Fire Department.
Walesh said it can be a matter of life or death if officials arrive to an emergency scene and they have to take time away to shovel the snow off.
“So we need to be able to use it in a timely manner. If you have a fire hydrant on your lot, your neighbors also use that same hydrant as well. So it’s very important we use it quickly and appropriately”, Walesh said.
To help with this neighborhood task, the department rolled out their ‘Hydro’s Helpers’ program in November.
The program is designed to involve the youth in the community in helping firefighters and others in the community.
“Our hydro helpers are all ages under the age of 17 that are in the program. So not only do they clean it off but they report to the water company if there are any caps missing, water leaking or any damage whatsoever”, Walesh said.
12-year-old Green Bay resident, Alston Metoxen has been helping out with this program since the start of it in November.
“Just wanted to help out and be kind to other people”, Metoxen said.
Metoxen said he’s been following the instructions given to him by fire officials.
“It wasn’t too bad actually. Very simple to do and they told us three feet wide, so I just did that”, Metoxen said.
Fire officials say it’s important to keep the hydrant clear of ice and snow three feet around.
“We are just so appreciative that we have these young people in our community willing to help us out”, Walesh said.
And it's not just Walesh who is helping out fire officials.
Here is a photo the Green Bay Metro Fire Department posted over the weekend of Mya shoveling the snow off her block's hydrant.
Lt. Walesh said if any youth in the community is interested in signing up to help you can go on their website to do so.
“We are always allowing kids and student to sign up. It’s Wisconsin, we’re in the middle of February. We might not get any more snow, but we could also get more snow. But we are welcoming more kids to sign up”, Walesh said.
While Metoxen says he’s not sure yet whether he plans to do something-fire related when he grows up, he does say he wants to continue helping others out.
“To help the community and be better. If you are going through something maybe you can do something for somebody else and maybe you will get it back”, Metoxen said.
