SYCAMORE – Sycamore Fire Department Assistant Chief Art Zern cannot shovel out all of the city's 1,400 fire hydrants by himself.

Zern and other local fire officials are asking residents to clear snow from fire hydrants so they are easily accessible in case of emergencies. Firefighters would lose several minutes if they responded to a house fire and had to clear out a hydrant before connecting the hose, Zern said. With 180 to 250 gallons of water used every minute to fight a fire, Zern said each second counts.

"I think, especially when you have a heavy snow, it becomes a concern," Zern said. "Driveways and sidewalks become the number one concern and understandably so. I just think people don't give [fire hydrants] much thought."