Give way and avoid blocking fire hydrants: State Emergency Service voices recommendations for citizens during emergencies

Drivers must give way to special vehicles with flashing lights, and also be careful when parking, so as not to leave a vehicle over an underground fire hydrant, which rescuers may need to access.

Svitlana Vodolaha, Head of the Press Service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, made this statement during a briefing at Media Center of Ukraine.

“When special vehicles are moving with flashing lights, give way. If you witnessed explosions, of course, don’t stand in the middle of the road, try to drive away, because there are always cars on a central road. Of course, law enforcement officers immediately arrive at the site and cordon off the road. Therefore, one should not argue, but listen to their directions,” she emphasized.

In addition, when parking a car, drivers must be careful not to leave their vehicles over underground fire hydrants.

“If you park your car (over a fire hydrant – Ed.) and go somewhere, and the rescuers need to place the car over the fire hydrant in order to start extinguishing the fire, the rescuers will spend time either looking for another hydrant, or they will somehow move the vehicle to another spot. And this takes time that costs someone’s life,” urged Svitlana Vodolaha. 

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news