By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) said blocked fire hydrants are delaying firefighting efforts across New York City.
• Officials reported a 157% increase in 311 complaints about blocked hydrants over six years.
• FDNY has begun issuing criminal summonses and fines to drivers blocking hydrants at active fire scenes.
• Fire department leaders cited incidents where blocked hydrants forced crews to find alternate water sources.
NEW YORK, N.Y. — The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) warned this week that illegally parked vehicles blocking fire hydrants are hampering firefighting operations and can delay critical water access during emergencies.
FDNY officials said the number of complaints to the city’s 311 system about blocked hydrants climbed 157% over the past six years, with notable concentrations in parts of Queens and Brooklyn.
Department leaders cited multiple incidents, including a fatal Bronx fire response in early 2025, where a blocked hydrant forced crews to use alternative water sources and extend hose lines to reach the blaze.
In response, the FDNY has begun issuing criminal summonses and steep fines — ranging from $2,500 to $4,000 — to drivers who block hydrants at active fire scenes, officials said.
Fire department leadership emphasized that quick access to functioning hydrants is essential for effective firefighting and public safety, especially in densely populated urban areas.
Authorities continue to urge residents to avoid parking within 15 feet of fire hydrants and to report obstructions through the city’s 311 system to support emergency response efforts.