Wilton Fire Marshal's Office

With the holiday season upon us our attentions turn to being with family and friends. Along with those good times comes a change in the weather. Colder temperatures mean icy driveways and walkways. This change in the weather many times results in dangerous conditions often leading to injuries. The Wilton Fire Department would like to remind everyone to clear their driveways and walkways as soon after a winter storm as possible so that emergency vehicles and personnel can reach an injured person or attack a fire without delay. If we have to drag a stretcher up an unplowed driveway, or carry someone down a long poorly maintained driveway and out to a waiting ambulance delays treatment and transport of the sick and injured. If a fire truck can't get close to a house on fire because the driveway is impassable, we may have to stretch a hose from the street, this just delays us getting water on a fire which can result in more damage to your belongings or a delay in searching for trapped victims.

If you are lucky enough to have a fire hydrant on or close to your property please help us by clearing a path to the hydrant from the street and around the hydrant following a big storm. The Wilton Fire Department spends many man-hours clearing fire hydrants following storms but fires don't always wait until after the storm or until we can get out to clear them. Any delay in finding or getting hooked up to a fire hydrant delays the fire attack which means more property damage or possibly loss of life. It takes a team to protect a town, join the team. Take personal responsibility for your property and look out for any neighbors who may need help with their property and have a fire safe holiday.

Sincerely,
William Meehan, CFPS
Fire Inspector