Jefferson City officials urge residents to clear sidewalks, fire hydrants of snow

Jefferson City fire crews said time is a precious commodity when battling a structure fire and a hydrant that’s covered or even blocked by piles of snow and ice can cause an unnecessary delay.

“Time is of the essence in a fire situation and having to go up and down the neighborhood, looking for a fire hydrant is time that we should be using to extinguish the fire and save lives,” said Division Chief Jason Turner with the Jefferson City Fire Department.

By city ordinance, home or business owners are responsible for clearing the pedestrian sidewalk that is adjacent to their property as well as any fire hydrants that are placed near their lot.

“If [firefighters] are out there chipping away at ice or shoveling away snow that’s packed down, that could be the difference between losing your house,” said Jefferson City housing and property inspector Dave Helmick. “The owner of that property is actually responsible for going out and clearing any snow, ice, other debris.”

The owner could face a ticket for littering is they are notified by the city and then fail to clear the sidewalk or hydrant.

The ordinance requires a three foot radius be cleared around any existing fire hydrant.

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