After a winter marked by heavy snowstorms and a rise in house fires across the South Shore, dozens of Merrick elementary school students were recognized for stepping up in a way that made a real difference for first responders.
The Merrick Fire Department honored about 40 students from Chatterton, Birch and Lakeside schools on Sunday for participating in the community’s Hydrant Heroes initiative — a program that encouraged children to clear snow from fire hydrants near their homes to ensure firefighters quick access during emergencies.
Fire officials said the snow-shoveling effort came at a critical time, because buried hydrants can significantly delay firefighting operations.
“When there’s an emergency, it really comes down to seconds,” Ronald Luparello, a longtime member of Empire Hose Company 3 and the department’s spokesman, said. “We need that hydrant in operation as fast as possible, because that’s our continuous flow of water. If we run out of tank water and don’t have that hydrant ready, you’re putting firefighters in serious jeopardy.”
Luparello, who has been with the department since 1989 and previously served as chief, said the impact of the students’ efforts was noticeable almost immediately.
“You could drive down the blocks after a snowstorm and visibly see hydrants that were dug out with two to three feet cleared around them,” he said. “It definitely made a difference.”
Leaders of the Merrick PTA launched the initiative following a series of winter storms and reports of multiple house fires in the area. Jackey Cacioppo, president of the Chatterton PTA, said the idea was sparked by a desire to both help the community and get students engaged.
“It was the longest winter ever, and we wanted to get the kids off the (computer) screens and doing something meaningful,” she said. “We tried to make them feel like they were helping — like little superheroes out there.”
Students were encouraged to take photos of themselves clearing hydrants, with small incentives such as gift cards offered as part of the program. But organizers said the biggest reward was the sense of responsibility it instilled in them.
“It gave them a real feeling that they were doing something important,” Caccioppoli said. “Everyone needs to learn their part, and this was a way for them to give back.”
The effort also addressed a broader challenge facing fire departments across New York: a decline in volunteerism. Merrick officials said community support — including simple acts like keeping hydrants clear — plays a vital role in emergency response.
“We depend on the community,” Luparello said. “It’s not a law to clear a hydrant, but your family or your neighbor’s family could depend on it.”
Fire officials and PTA leaders alike expressed hope that the program will have a lasting impact, particularly in inspiring younger generations to get involved.
“It’s about planting that seed,” Cacioppo said. “If they learn now that they can make a difference, maybe they’ll continue to give back in the future.”
During the recognition event, students were honored by name and presented with certificates, with local officials also on hand to acknowledge their efforts.
Luparello said the department hopes some of those students may one day join its junior firefighter program — and eventually the ranks of the volunteer fire service.
“There’s nothing better than volunteering for your community and helping others,” he said.
With the success of this winter’s effort, organizers said the Hydrant Heroes initiative could return in the future — continuing to build a culture of service, one student at a time.
