Bismarck firefighters are asking for your help this winter.

Especially this weekend as several more inches of snow is expected to fall across the area.

The fire department wants residents to adopt a hydrant.

Anyone can do it. They simply need to shovel out the hydrants around their homes.

Firefighter Ian Flanders says when the hydrants are cleared out, firefighters can do their jobs more quickly.

(Ian Flanders/Firefighter) "For us to be able to show up to a fire and be able to hook up the hydrant right away saves us a lot of time."


There are more than 4000 hydrants in Bismarck alone.

Often times, they disappear when snow gets plowed. The fire department suggests 'adopting' the hydrants near your home for the entire winter.

(Ian Flanders/Firefighter) "The main thing we ask is that they try to dig at least three to four feet around the hydrant and keep it at least six inches below our caps. Another big thing with that is also when they clear it out, clear a path from the hydrant to the street itself so that way we can hook up our hoses."


He also says, business owners should shovel out the hydrants closest to their buildings. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list