HWFire Hydrants

Water and Hydrant team of Hereford & Worcester Fire Service.

[HWFire Hydrants @HWFRSHydrants]

That's it then, I'm now officially off...... 12 month career break, or as I like to think of it, a gap year.

Most people have their gap years at the start, I've saved my for towards the end.

Of work that is.

See you April 2026

[HWFire Hydrants @HWFRSHydrants]

Yesterday in the sun in Stoke Bliss. A great place to spend my last day finding,fixing,testing and maintaining hydrants.
I'll be sorting out the van, getting it ready for someone else to follow in my footsteps.
I'm taking 12 months off to focus on the important things -FAMILY

[HWFire Hydrants @HWFRSHydrants]

The other day this chap had run out of steam...... he timed it perfectly as I was just around the corner maintaining and testing the hydrants.
With a toot from his whistle he was quickly (well, slowly actually) on his way.

[HWFire Hydrants @HWFRSHydrants]

It's been a long time since I posted,the work has still been going on all through the winter. Now visiting and checking the hydrants in and around Evesham. Some lovely buildings to admire as I do my work.

[HWFire Hydrants @HWFRSHydrants]

Moved on to Herefordshire hydrants,found myself here earlier.
Thinking of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

[HWFire Hydrants @HWFRSHydrants]

Moved on to Ledbury and surrounding areas now. There will be campers and festival events around here soon so it's good to know there's a good water supply if the need should arise.......hopefully not🤞

Please don't use barbecues on the Malvern hills.

[HWFire Hydrants @HWFRSHydrants]

Definitely has sprung in Ocle Pychard

[HWFire Hydrants @HWFRSHydrants]

Spring has most definitely sprung this week. Things are starting to brighten up after a long grey winter.🐑🐣🌼

[HWFire Hydrants @HWFRSHydrants]

@mike_mrmrb Nice..... is that from a city with canals? ( Not Birmingham 😉)

[HWFire Hydrants @HWFRSHydrants]

A few pictures from the last fortnight, it's great to see all the history around us.

[HWFire Hydrants @HWFRSHydrants]

Different week, different area, same weather 🌧. I tried a dam to divert the water away from the hydrant pit to allow me to dig, inspect and test it. I had to dig the silt out anyway, so put it to good use before disposing of it afterwards. These conditions just slow my progress.

[HWFire Hydrants @HWFRSHydrants]

Half way through my time working on Eardisley Fire Stations surrounding hydrants, I've been lucky with the weather and have been enjoying some of the local sights and locations. Another couple of weeks around here and then I'll be on to the next area.

[HWFire Hydrants @HWFRSHydrants]

Back out to the villages around Eardisley today. A newly replaced hydrant, but with the recent extreme wet weather the familiar blocking of the pit with silt. Cleared,tested,marked and hopefully I'll be the next one to open it🤞....... when it's next due for testing.

[HWFire Hydrants @HWFRSHydrants]

Finishing the year with a visit to our service border with Wales, in a very wet Eardisley.
Hopefully everyone had some quality time with their nearest and dearest over Xmas......Wishing you all the best for 2024.

[HWFire Hydrants @HWFRSHydrants]

River was rising fast today in Upton upon Severn, make sure you plan your journey and don't be tempted to drive through flood water as you don't know what lies beneath. The shops are starting to look festive, I've a few more days here this week then over to the West of our area.

[HWFire Hydrants @HWFRSHydrants]

Finished the week in Worcestershire, on the sunny side of the hills.

Took time to reflect back and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Lest we forget.

[HWFire Hydrants @HWFRSHydrants]

Spent the start of the week in the villages towards the western fringes of our service area ,near the Welsh borders. Dodging the incoming heavy showers.

These local characters🎃🎃🎃🎃 however were looking a bit cold and waterlogged.

[HWFire Hydrants @HWFRSHydrants]

.....Some are a little less obvious though. But with a bit of detective work, and a grid reference, once found they get dug out, cleared,tested and marked up. Hopefully be easier to find next time.

[HWFire Hydrants @HWFRSHydrants]

Out checking hydrants in and around Castlemorton today. Where possible please try and avoid obstructing a hydrant. There's usually a marker nearby and we try and keep them visible to help the crews to find them in an emergency, and so that road users can see their position.

[HWFire Hydrants @HWFRSHydrants]

Haven't found many frogs or newts in the hydrant pits lately but in the middle of nowhere this turned up! He didn't look so happy so I made him smile.