After firefighters in Brookfield and Austintown had issues with fire hydrants that were frozen or buried in the snow, fire departments are reminding residents to clear their hydrants — as long as they can do so safely. 

"The code requires the fire hydrants to be cleared three feet around," said Dave McCoy, fire chief at the Calcutta Volunteer Fire Department. "That is not just snow, but that is shrubbery or anything that may obstruct a fire hydrant." 

Without the hydrants accessible, McCoy said firefighters could run out of water or lose valuable time when responding to a structure fire.

McCoy's department announced a contest on Facebook Wednesday, as a way to encourage homeowners to get digging. He told 21 News a local Walmart donated a $100 gift card to make the contest happen. 

Despite the importance of clearing the hydrants, firefighters acknowledge that it isn't always safe to do so, depending on the temperatures, amount of snow and location. 

"If kids are going to be involved in this, there should be adult supervision," McCoy said. "Some hydrants are near roads, so we don't want to put people in harm's way." 

Mark Pitzer, chief of the Boardman Fire Department, said his crew has additional tools it can use while the Valley waits for the snow to melt. Pitzer demonstrated how a GPS tracker on his cell phone can locate any fire hydrants in Boardman Township. 

"We can get a pretty good idea where that hydrant is located, and we can dig that out," Pitzer said. "So we have some provisions in place. I would just tell people, don't panic. We're prepared." 

He also said his department already has a plan in place with the Cardinal Joint Fire District, wherein the CJFD will send its tanker truck to fires that occur in Boardman, so that there is another immediate source of water. 

Homeowners are legally required to keep fire hydrants accessible under the Ohio Administrative Code, with three feet of clearance, though enforcement may vary.

Pitzer told 21 News that he believes Boardman Township "wouldn't go after somebody for that," while a Facebook post from the Calcutta Fire Department noted that the fire safety inspector would be enforcing the law on business and plaza owners this week.