If you were driving up and down Center Street today, you may have been given a little impromptu car “washing,” as members of the Bedford Fire Department were performing the spring ritual of flushing the fire hydrants.
The once-a-year event happens each June, and allows the fire department to make sure each of the hydrants are working properly and that there is adequate water flow.
Two firefighters worked in tandem with the hydrants during the operation. Firefighter Joe Sisak loosened the caps on the hydrant and let the water gush, while Lt. Firefighter Dan Dopslaf followed behind, closing the hydrant after a few minutes of free-flow.
During the process, the men made sure that there were two hydrants open at a time so no complications with the water pipes occurred. When the water first comes out of the hydrant, it usually has a brown color from iron and mineral deposits.
