You’re driving around in circles looking for street parking when suddenly you find the ideal spot. It’s in front of a fire hydrant, but you don’t see a no-parking sign, so you think it’s fine.
Wrong! Parking in front of or otherwise blocking a fire hydrant isn’t just against the law – it’s dangerous if there’s a fire emergency.
Potential risks of blocking a fire hydrant
That “perfect” parking spot in front of a fire hydrant is risky. A building fire or car collision that ignites a vehicle can happen in an instant. Florida firefighters depend on fire hydrants to provide water for their trucks in an emergency. If they cannot quickly get to the hydrant, the potential for serious property damage and loss of life increases substantially.
Legal penalties in Florida for blocking a fire hydrant
Florida’s Uniform Traffic Control regulations cover fire hydrant laws, including the penalties for parking in front of or otherwise blocking or damaging them. The law restricts parking within 15 feet of the fire hydrant, which is enough room for a fire engine to get close enough to use the hydrant.
Parking in front of a fire hydrant, even if you’re idling in your car, will earn you a traffic citation. It’s a ticket with a small fine, not a misdemeanor or felony. However, the legal penalties are light compared to the potential for danger to other people.
Blocking fire hydrant endangers lives
Let’s take a closer look at just how a blocked fire hydrant impacts emergency response times. A recent viral post by a Mobile, AL, firefighter shows just what happens to drivers who think a spot in front of a hydrant is fair game.
Firefighters are concerned with getting to their water source fast in an emergency and won’t hesitate to break your car’s windows if it is between the blaze and the hydrant. Why?
“Because we’re concerned with the fire that’s either at that home or business and getting to our water source,” Mobile Fire & Rescue PIO Steven Millhouse said.
Delays in rescue time can make a vital difference if someone is trapped in the building. Even the few minutes needed to move your car could mean that someone suffers the deadly effects of a fire. To put out the fire as quickly as possible, the first responders are going to prioritize the active emergency over your personal property.
Blocking a fire hydrant isn’t limited to cars parking in front of one. Neighborhood residents may put large trash pick-up items in front of the hydrant, or kids’ toys or other items could block it. Any kind of blockage leads to delays in an emergency response when seconds matter.
Tips for public fire hydrant safety awareness
So, what can be done to keep fire hydrants and other emergency water sources free in a fire emergency? Making people aware of the laws is a good start.
The San Carlos Park Fire District issues public service announcements online pointing out the dangers of obstructing a fire hydrant with construction or hurricane damage debris.
If you notice a blocked fire hydrant in your area, you should report it to the city or a local fire department. Perhaps your neighbor is remodeling their home, and the construction crew is stocking supplies or debris around the hydrant. You can report that, too.
Keeping fire hydrants unblocked is a community responsibility!
Some Florida communities are instituting “Adopt a Fire Hydrant” initiatives, similar to the popular Adopt-a-Highway programs in many states. Neighborhood volunteers select a designated fire hydrant and remain responsible for removing debris around it and keeping the area in generally good shape. Removing the weeds and debris makes the fire hydrant more visible at night or in a storm.
What are my legal options if I have property damage due to a blocked fire hydrant?
If your car is damaged because you parked in front of a fire hydrant, there isn’t much you can do except fix it yourself. You’re breaking the law by parking in front of the hydrant, and many Florida courts will dismiss any kind of suit you may bring against the fire department that broke your car’s windows.
However, if you’re hurt or suffer property damage that could have been avoided had the fire hydrant not been blocked, that’s a different story. If someone blocked the hydrant and prevented you from getting help in an emergency, you may have a case to file a suit for damages against that person.
Contact Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath today at (561) 655-1990 to learn how a skilled Florida car accident lawyer can help your case.
