The Somerville Fire Department would like to remind residents to please shovel in front of and around the fire hydrant closest to your home so that firefighters can see and access it. If possible, please clear the snow a few feet in all directions and clear the access from the street to make it possible for firefighters to attach hoselines to the hydrant.

Seconds count during a fire and the time it takes a firefighter to dig out a buried hydrant could make all the  difference in the outcome at a fire. We realize that the last thing anyone wants to do after shoveling out their property is to clear more snow but the extra effort could be life-saving.

— Somerville Fire Department