Ulster County teen digs out fire hydrants to help firefighters after snowstorms
Wallkill eighth grader Noah Mitzner volunteers his time to keep hydrants visible — and earns praise from the fire chief for stepping up.
More Stories
While many teens spend snow days indoors, 13-year-old Noah Mitzner heads outside with a shovel in hand.
The John G. Borden Middle School eighth grader has been volunteering his time to dig out fire hydrants buried under snow and ice after recent storms in the Hamlet of Wallkill.
“Just to help them out in case we have any fires like we did a couple of days ago,” Mitzner told News 12.
After heavy snowfall blanketed the area, hydrants across town became difficult to see and access. Mitzner decided to step in, clearing snow to help ensure firefighters can quickly locate them in an emergency.
Wallkill Fire Chief Gary Specht says those efforts make a real difference.
“Keeping hydrants free of snow and debris directly impacts response times — in emergency situations, seconds matter,” Specht said in a statement. “Noah’s willingness to step up reflects the strong community spirit that helps keep the Hamlet of Wallkill safe.”
Mitzner says he’s received plenty of thanks from neighbors and firefighters alike.
“I get a lot of people saying, 'Thank you for clearing the hydrants' and everything,” he said.
The teen hopes to one day become a volunteer firefighter himself and eventually own his own landscaping business. When he’s not clearing hydrants, he runs a small snow removal business and posts on social media to drum up work around town.
Fire officials encourage residents to clear a 3-foot radius around hydrants after snowstorms and make sure there is a clear path to the street.
They say even a short delay can impact response times in an emergency.
As for Mitzner, he hopes to save enough money to buy a snowmobile to pull his trailer and haul his landscaping and snow removal equipment around town until he's old enough to drive -- making it easier to continue clearing hydrants and helping around town.
