Discussions

Wondering why the City would clear the streets and Bury a Fire Hydrant on Elviss Crescent???

the person running the loader/grader didn't know it was there. Maybe they are coming back to clean around it shortly (or another unit is coming).  
If you are concerned (which you should be) head out and lend a hand and shovel it out. I know it's not your job, but it's your residence and belongings that could be at risk. I know our town workers bury all the hydrants and come back later and clean around them (could be a few days depending on the snow fall). There are lots of depts. that have posted on social media asking for assistance from residence to shovel out the hydrants to lend a hand to both town/city and FD's. And with all the snow we have sitting around westman, we are running out of room to pile snow.

Happens a lot. Really the city should have a crew of a couple people to go around and dig out the fire hydrants after the streets have been cleared, same with bus stops, but they don't to my knowledge.  
 
Over the last two weeks their were two young fellas going around town and clearing the fire hydrants out of the snow banks. They didn't work for the city but were just doing it and they cleared over 40 fire hydrants that were buried in the snow banks. They deserve a big pat on the back.

The_Young_Man said "Happens a lot. Really the city should have a crew of a couple people to go around and dig out the fire hydrants after the streets have been cleared, same with bus stops, but they don't to my knowledge.     Over the last two weeks their were two young fellas going around town and clearing the fire hydrants out of the snow banks. They didn't work for the city but were just doing it and they cleared over 40 fire hydrants that were buried in the snow banks. They deserve a big pat on the back. "

Off (or on) duty firemen maybe? They'd have to know where they were looking I would imagine.

The city doesn't offer a prorgram for tax breaks to residents that would be willing to help with snow removal. Maybe snow removal would go a bit quicker.  
Just a thought.

fire hydrants, ruts, snow piled at corners, vehicles not moving when the street needs clearing, it goes on and on. The City really needs to get a better grip on what is going on. The supervisors should be held to a higher account, making sure the guys out doing the plowing/clearing are doing it correctly.

Degenerate108 said "    The_Young_Man said "Happens a lot. Really the city should have a crew of a couple people to go around and dig out the fire hydrants after the streets have been cleared, same with bus stops, but they don't to my knowledge.     Over the last two weeks their were two young fellas going around town and clearing the fire hydrants out of the snow banks. They didn't work for the city but were just doing it and they cleared over 40 fire hydrants that were buried in the snow banks. They deserve a big pat on the back. " Off (or on) duty firemen maybe? They'd have to know where they were looking I would imagine. "

They were university students. Couldn't tell you how they knew where the hydrants are, but I talked to them one night when I was walking to the store.

 
 
Edited by Liam Pattison Photography, 2017-01-14 15:20:53

The_Young_Man said "Happens a lot. Really the city should have a crew of a couple people to go around and dig out the fire hydrants after the streets have been cleared, same with bus stops, but they don't to my knowledge.     Over the last two weeks their were two young fellas going around town and clearing the fire hydrants out of the snow banks. They didn't work for the city but were just doing it and they cleared over 40 fire hydrants that were buried in the snow banks. They deserve a big pat on the back. "

My buddy and I are the two guys who have been going around town clearing fire hydrants. You're right, we're two university students, and we don't work for the city or anything. We either know where they are from seeing them there without snow, or see the tips of them poking out of the snow. Unfortunately I haven't heard of or know of any city crews that go out and clear fire hydrants which is a real problem. My buddy and I are doing our best to clear as many as we can to make our neighbourhoods a little bit safer. Thanks for the support!

Mauve said "The city doesn't offer a prorgram for tax breaks to residents that would be willing to help with snow removal. Maybe snow removal would go a bit quicker.   Just a thought. "

Imagine all the residents that would get tax breaks for mowing & shovelling city-owned property! The city would have to hire 12 people to run the program after they hired three expensive consultants to make recommendations.  
Seriously, the city has the resources and equipment. Perhaps they need to tweak their time management skills?

fuzzy slippers said "fire hydrants, ruts, snow piled at corners, vehicles not moving when the street needs clearing, it goes on and on. The City really needs to get a better grip on what is going on. The supervisors should be held to a higher account, making sure the guys out doing the plowing/clearing are doing it correctly. "

The department heads need to be held accountable for the jobs not being done properly. The city says they hire and retain the best of the best. They best start proving that to residents who are less than thrilled with services. There are a lot of things that the city does/doesn't do that a private business would never get away with and would close their doors.

The city cleared the fire hydrants of snow, with the loader.

You know nothing about snow removal, its a long arduous task that takes a lot of effort. After a major snowfall the priority is getting the roads open and after two back to back snowfalls the crews are exhausted. The secondary clean up will start when men and equipment are available. I am not a city employee but I used to do private snow removal and I know exactly the work and effort required. Unfortunately you can't just snap your fingers and make 3 feet of snow dissapear

What puzzles me is why do the snow clearing folks pile the snow on top of the hydrant? I know space is a premium, but of all place to put the snow? You would think that would be not acceptable, ever, to put snow on top of a fire hydrant? But in the heat of the battle, guess the main focus is getting the snow off the streets!

Even if the fire hydrant get buried in snow after the streets been cleared, the grader or loader operator should take note of it and another city crew should be sent to shovel it out. If there is a fire and the fire hydrants on the street are buried in snow, then the firefighters have to locate where the hydrants are and spend time shovelling them out which could take more than 10 minutes. In the mean while the fire has doubled in size and maybe spread to the neighbours house. The water on a pumper truck will only last a few minutes. Definitely now with the snow being hard it's going to take longer to shovel out.  
 
But it's good to see people taking it upon for themselves to shovel out the hydrants. Keep up the good work.

Oryx said "The city cleared the fire hydrants of snow, with the loader. "

That is a heck of a loader operator if he cleared the snow from around a fire hydrant with the bucket. Impressed!  
 
As for Liam and Brandon, good job, I saw you boys out there. Be good exercise for a few of the fire boys to get out there and do it but I suppose we wouldn't want them to get hurt.

Lending a hand and shovelling out hydrants regardless of who plowed them in is a good idea. Kudos to all who pitch in!

Liam Pattison Photography said "    The_Young_Man said "Happens a lot. Really the city should have a crew of a couple people to go around and dig out the fire hydrants after the streets have been cleared, same with bus stops, but they don't to my knowledge.     Over the last two weeks their were two young fellas going around town and clearing the fire hydrants out of the snow banks. They didn't work for the city but were just doing it and they cleared over 40 fire hydrants that were buried in the snow banks. They deserve a big pat on the back. " My buddy and I are the two guys who have been going around town clearing fire hydrants. You're right, we're two university students, and we don't work for the city or anything. We either know where they are from seeing them there without snow, or see the tips of them poking out of the snow. Unfortunately I haven't heard of or know of any city crews that go out and clear fire hydrants which is a real problem. My buddy and I are doing our best to clear as many as we can to make our neighbourhoods a little bit safer. Thanks for the support! "

Way to go you 2 ! ! !  
Amazing to see people do things like this out of the goodness of their heart !  
You should be very proud ! !

RT Holdings said "    Oryx said "The city cleared the fire hydrants of snow, with the loader. " That is a heck of a loader operator if he cleared the snow from around a fire hydrant with the bucket. Impressed!     As for Liam and Brandon, good job, I saw you boys out there. Be good exercise for a few of the fire boys to get out there and do it but I suppose we wouldn't want them to get hurt. "

the operator should be commended on a job well done. The hydrant is is clearly visible. If you are being facetious, the operator did in fact do an amazing job!

If you think that City Management needs to be held to account then by all means! The next City Council meeting will be held on January 23rd. A portion of the meeting is for members of the public to voice their concerns. That is the best way to make your voice heard, all upper management, every councilor and the mayor is there.

PrimeConvoy said "If you think that City Management needs to be held to account then by all means! The next City Council meeting will be held on January 23rd. A portion of the meeting is for members of the public to voice their concerns. That is the best way to make your voice heard, all upper management, every councilor and the mayor is there. "

The city council meeting, Community Question Period, allows questions to be asked only pertaining to items already on the meeting agenda.  
 
Taken from the last available agenda on the city website:  
"Community Question Period  
The public is invited to come forward to the podium to ask questions on any item appearing on the agenda for this evening's meeting. A total of 15 minutes will be allowed for this question period."

to check their natural gas meters and make sure they are cleaned off from snow. Safety first!  
 
It takes a fair amount of skill to be able to clear around objects like fire hydrants, practice and years of experience go a long way!