5,000 Fire Hydrants in Billings Getting a Refresh

The lowly fire hydrant isn't something most of us spend much time thinking about. 99% of the time they sit there on the curb, vaguely resembling a 1950s robot, getting peed on by dogs. But when a fire breaks out in the neighborhood, these short, stout, high-volume, cast iron water valves are vital for firefighters.

The refresh is expected to be completed within three years.

You may have noticed the fire hydrants in your neighborhood have been getting a fresh new look, as the City of Billings continues its project to re-paint all 5,000 fire hydrants in the city.

The new solid-red color switches from the two-tone, silver-and-red paint we're familiar with. According to the City, the solid red color is more visible to first responders and is much faster to paint.

If you have a fire hydrant on the edge of your property, the City of Billings reminds residents to:

• Trim or remove any brush, hedges, or flowers nearby.
• Report any damage or maintenance issues.
• Ensure a 3-foot clearance and proper visibility are maintained at all times.

If a hydrant can't be located by the fire department, it can't be used.

Fire hydrants drastically improved urban firefighting.

Many early Western communities experienced devasting fires. Deadwood, SD, Havre, MT, and Wallace, ID are just a few examples of entire towns destroyed by fire in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Thankfully, urban firefighting techniques have come a long way since bucket brigades and horse-drawn water tanks. Who invented the lowly fire hydrant remains a bit of a mystery, as patent records reportedly disappeared or were destroyed. Credit is given to a gentleman from Pennsylvania named Frederick Graff.