Chief Smith posted the following on the Wayland Fire Department Facebook page:

Shoveling out the Fire Hydrants – A Note to Residents

I would like to take this opportunity to assure the residents of Wayland that the Fire Department and the DPW are working daily to be sure that an adequate water supply is available in case it is needed for a fire or other emergency incident. There has been some criticism lately in phone calls and social media posts about the length of time it takes to shovel snow away from all the hydrants after this historic and unprecedented series of snowstorms. Please be assured that there has been no change over the years in our combined commitment to keep the hydrants accessible.

In Wayland we have almost 600 public fire hydrants that might be needed in an emergency. The Fire Department and the DPW accept full responsibility to keep them working well and accessible. It has been that way for decades before my tenure, for the last 38 years I have been here, and I suspect it will be the same for decades to come. However we always work under the following considerations….

1. The safety of our crews working out on the streets is our primary concern. Visibility, traffic conditions, temperature, and wind chill factors all play a part. Winter storm conditions dictate what we can do and when we can do it.
2. Emergency incident response trumps hydrant shoveling.
3. Each significant pass of a snowplow pushes more snow away from streets and driveways and toward hydrants. Some hydrants need to be shoveled out multiple times, removing snow from a single storm.
4. Regulations prohibit burying hydrants in snow, but it seems to be a common occurrence, especially with the volume of snow we have seen so far this season. We appreciate conscientious snowplowing and residents who use snow blowers to direct the snow away from hydrants. In some cases, we are clearing snow off hydrants far off the edge of the road and buried under plowed/drifting snow 8’ (or more) deep. Some require heavy machinery to clear.
5. Regardless of how, or when, or how fast the hydrants are shoveled out, some will cleared first and others will be cleared toward the end of the project. Patience is a virtue.
6. Winter time (in general) presents many challenges to the way we normally operate. Each of our fire engines (and our ladder truck) has hundreds of gallons of water on board. If there is a chance that more water will be needed at an emergency incident, we do not hesitate to call for additional fire engines to respond if there is any reason to believe that hydrants may be inaccessible, frozen, or out of service for any other reason.

I encourage all residents to assist us in keeping the fire hydrants accessible by making sure that snow removed from streets or driveways does not end up burying the hydrants. Piling snow on fire hydrants in the Commonwealth is punishable by a fine of $100. If you see something, say something. The business number for the Wayland Police Department is 508-358-4721.
Thousands of fire departments across the country (including Boston, Worcester, and several surrounding towns) endorse the “Adopt a Hydrant” program that encourages the public to help with the snow clearing. Those of you who are able-bodied and enjoy the pleasures of New England in the wintertime, shoveling the hydrant(s) nearest your home will help the entire community. If you choose to help out, please do it safely and remember that drivers may not see you shoveling due to high snow banks or falling/blowing snow.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Fire Chief Vincent Smith.