Greensburg residents 'adopt' nearly 350 fire hydrants

There are almost 350 fire hydrants in Greensburg, and they all have been “adopted” after a six-year campaign, according to Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department President Rick Steele.

The department launched the “Adopt-A-Hydrant” program in 2014, asking residents to contribute to the cost of high-visibility markers, which stick up above hydrants and help firefighters find them even if they’re covered in snow.

“Bottom line, it’s the quickest way for us to quickly identify hydrants in the area,” Steele said.

Markers cost $25 each.

The program started strong, but interest tapered off over the years, Steele said.

He started a revived push for donations in 2017. In early 2018, less than a third of the city’s hydrants had been adopted.

Then donations started climbing. The Greensburg Rotary club, in partnership with the Greensburg Salem School District Interact Club, adopted 75 hydrants. Seton Hill University adopted all 22 hydrants on its campus.

The department solicited donations on Facebook and found donors from all over the country, Steele said. People from Louisiana , California and Massachusetts have donated, Steele said, either because they used to live in Greensburg or have some other connection to the city.

“We’ve been fortunate that we’ve covered all corners of the United States with this project,” Steele said.

Just before the new year, the department finally hit its goal. Every hydrant in the city has been adopted.

Steele reminded residents to care for their local fire hydrants. During the winter, it’s important for residents to clear away snow and ice so first responders can quickly access hydrants during an emergency.