While fingers are crossed for lamb-like weather to arrive soon, the village of North Syracuse shared some tips for staying safe during the last days of winter at the Feb. 26 board of trustees meeting.
Trustee Paul Linnertz, who is a member of the North Syracuse Fire Department, stressed residents’ responsibility to keep the area surrounding fire hydrants clear of snow.
“The problem is the delay. If you put four people on a fire truck, one of them gets off with a shovel digging to the fire hydrant — that’s five minutes lost,” Linnertz said.
Those five minutes are better spent by residents, not firefighters, Linnertz said.
“It takes me not five minutes to make a pass [with the snowblower],” he said.
Area fire departments recommend residents clear a three-foot radius around fire hydrants on their property. There should also be a clear path from the hydrant to the road.
“There may be a misconception that firemen are responsible for clearing fire hydrants,” said North Syracuse Mayor Mark Atkinson. “They’re not — it’s the homeowners.”
Linnertz said snow removal issues are being compounded by the continuing bitter cold weather.
“The snowbank now is rock solid, which makes it even worse,” he said.
Atkinson said he is in talks with local community organizations and Boy Scout troops to help clear the area around the village’s fire hydrants, though such an arrangement may not happen until next winter.
“It’s not appropriate for the government to go on private property to remove snow,” Atkinson said. “If we can get something in place that’s solid for next year, I’d feel good about it.”
The Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office also emphasized the hydrant issue in a release about a Feb. 25 fire that destroyed a home in the town of Salina.
“Firefighters were unable to attack the fire from inside the residence due to several obstacles and hazards that prevented them from entering. It took firefighters approximately 90 minutes to get the blaze under control,” the release read. “You can perform a valuable public service and protect yourself, your family and your neighbors by taking the responsibility for shoveling out and clearing any fire hydrants near your home during and after a snowstorm.”
Linnertz and Atkinson offered other winter safety tips for residents.
Atkinson suggested people clear their driveways of snow and give themselves extra time to arrive at their destinations in case of poor weather.
Linnertz said homeowners who have newer furnaces with low-volume outputs must be conscious of snow buildup outside, which could clog the output pipes and cause carbon monoxide to accumulate inside the home.
“[The pipes are] two feet off the ground. We’ve got two feet of snow — you’re in trouble,” Linnertz said.
Thinking spring
North Syracuse is looking for donations to purchase hanging baskets in the center of the village once spring arrives. Zerrillo Gardens of East Syracuse will supply the flowers.
“I think it’s reflective of the pride people have in the village,” Atkinson said of early donations.
Businesses, individuals and organizations may purchase a hanging basket for $30.
Make checks payable to the Village of North Syracuse and send to the attention of Clerk/Treasurer Dianne Kufel, 600 S. Bay Road, North Syracuse, NY 13212.
Call 458-0900 for more information.