Many Broome County Fire Hydrants Are Inaccessible

Fire departments in the Twin Tiers have been busy with a wave of major blazes in recent days, including a fatal apartment building blaze in Johnson City.

Despite requests by emergency services officials, many fire hydrants around the region haven't been cleared of snow and ice.

A Broome County resident called WNBF News to report two hydrants on Gannett Drive in Johnson City were surrounded with snow and could be difficult for firefighters to access quickly. Those hydrants are near CFJ Park.

Some fire departments in Broome and Tioga counties have worked to clear hydrants in recent weeks.

Local officials continue to ask residents to check on hydrants near their homes to make sure they'll be accessible if needed.

Firefighters say valuable time can be lost if they have to clear snow and ice to get to a hydrant when they reach the scene of an active fire.