Pitch in to dig out of snow

Jeremiah Johnson, a McHenry firefighter/paramedic, reassembles a fire hydrant after extinguishing a house fire Dec. 24, 2008, in McHenry. (Lauren M. Anderson – landerson@nwherald.com)

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Mounds of snow are piling up around McHenry County, and if predictions are correct, winter has more work in store for snowplows, snow shovels and ice scrapers.

The U.S. Postal Service and McHenry County fire chiefs are asking residents to do their part to clear the way.

“What many of us do not think about is this much snow also hides fire hydrants,” said Marengo fire Chief Bob Bradbury, representing the McHenry County fire chiefs. “Snow piled around the hydrants has to be cleared away before firefighters can connect their hoses.”

Bradbury said firefighters cleared the hydrants as often as they could, but in many communities, there are too many hydrants to dig out in a timely manner.

Snow should be removed in a 2-foot perimeter around fire hydrants and in a pathway to the street. If you are physically unable to clear the snow around a hydrant near your home or business, call the local fire department so they can clear it, Bradbury said.

“A little time now could save unnecessary damage to you or your neighbor’s home,” he said.

Mail carriers also are requesting that residents clear a path through the snow and ice to their mailboxes.

“Mountains of snow and rivers of ice in front of mailboxes play havoc with mail delivery,” said Tim Ratliff, a spokesman for the U.S. Postal Service in Northern Illinois. “Your help in maintaining a clear path to the mailbox – including steps, porches, walkways and street approach – will help us maintain consistent delivery service.”

Clearing snow from the public sidewalks makes them safer for other residents, and some communities require it.

In Algonquin, Harvard, Marengo and McHenry, the person occupying the ground floor of a building or lot must remove ice and snow from the sidewalks within 24 hours after a snowstorm. If it cannot be removed, sand or other treatment must be added until it can be removed. Failure to comply can result in a fine of $25 a day or more.