Fire hydrants need love too.

The city of Sycamore has instituted a new Adopt a Hydrant program that allows citizens to take an active role in keeping Sycamore safe.

This program has been growing in cities across the country for years. The most notable example of the program may be in Boston, where citizens can actually log onto a website to claim and even name their hydrant according to the city’s press release.

“The Adopt-A-Hydrant program is the newest opportunity for our residents to show the great sense of volunteerism that shines in Boston all year, and it’s a great example of how we can use technology to build community and keep neighborhoods safe,” said Boston Mayor Thomas Menino in a press statement earlier this year.

The program is led locally by James Ward, fire prevention coordinator for the Sycamore Fire Department. The core idea behind the program is get people more involved in helping the city stay safe.

“Keeping hydrants clear of snow and other elements can save precious minutes during an emergency,” Ward said.

Adoption is as simple as keeping the hydrant free of snow, ice, and other debris.

“We are always interested in public safety. Whenever hydrants have to be called into service, we need the capability to see and use them,” said Sycamore Mayor Ken Mundy. “We’d like our citizens who live near a hydrant to take responsibility for keeping hydrants visible during all seasons,” Mundy said.

Winter can be an especially bad season for fire hydrants, as plows and other road crews can pile snow in banks along the road. Snow build up can lead to frozen hydrants and water that is more inaccessible.

“The 3 feet allow for better use of our equipment and hoses,” Ward said. “Having the hydrant clear makes our job easier and allows us to work faster.”

Ward said that expansion of the program similar to the Boston program is a possibility for the future, but right now would like to see citizens help out on a volunteer basis.

“In the past, we’ve had volunteers from the local Scout troops, and it’s a great opportunity for everyone to really take part in the safety of our community,” Ward said.

DeKalb has not created an adoption program, but has looked to residents for help with hydrant maintenance in the past.

“Last year during the blizzard in February, we put out some statements asking for help with clearing hydrants and keeping things accessible,” said Luke Howieson, lt. fire prevention officer for DeKalb Fire Department. “It’s a much more need based system in DeKalb. We had duty crews of employees working for 5 days alongside local volunteers to clear off the hydrants after that blizzard.”