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Fairfax County Fire and Rescue has launched an updated Adopt A Hydrant program, asking residents to help keep neighborhood hydrants visible and accessible during emergencies.
Participants commit to clearing snow, ice, grass, brush, leaves, trash and other obstructions from around an adopted hydrant. Rapid access to a water supply can help firefighters contain a fire and protect lives and property.
Residents should not paint, decorate, open or modify hydrants. Decorations, structures and other objects that could block firefighter access must also be kept away.
An interactive online map available through Fairfax County Fire and Rescue allows residents to search their address and see adoptable hydrants within a 1,000-foot area. The map works on mobile devices, tablets and desktop computers.
Users can select a hydrant to view its identification number, nearest address and the entity responsible for its maintenance. Available hydrants include a button linking to an adoption form, while previously claimed hydrants display their adoption date.
After submitting contact information, an applicant will receive an adoption certificate by email once the request has been reviewed.
Damage to a hydrant, problems with the mapping application and errors in hydrant data can be reported to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue GIS Office at fire.GIS@fairfaxcounty.gov. The office will direct maintenance concerns to the appropriate hydrant owner.