The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), on Thursday, July 9, launched the 2015 Hydrant Education Action Team (HEAT) program – a fire hydrant abuse prevention campaign that deploys teens hired through the Department of Youth and Community Development’s Summer Youth Employment Program to inform New Yorkers of the dangers of illegally opening hydrants.
“For eight years we have had success spreading the message about the dangers of illegally opened fire hydrants around New York City,” said DEP Commissioner Emily Lloyd. “The young leaders participating in the HEAT program help us remind New Yorkers that there is a safe and legal way to open hydrants by using city-approved spray caps.”
According to DEP, illegally opened fire hydrants can release more than 1,000 gallons of water per minute and reduce water pressure, making it difficult to fight fires or lower water pressure in nearby buildings.
New Yorkers who illegally open a fire hydrant also face fines of up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both.
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