Fire hydrant challenge sparks backlash and big support in Conn. town

Orange Fire Marshal James Vincent fired back at critics online and defended volunteers who had just worked 24 hours straight during a blizzard

February 26, 2026 09:41 AM

By Pamela McLoughlin
Hartford Courant

ORANGE, Conn. — No good deed goes uncriticized, as a Connecticut Volunteer Fire Department found out this week when they came up with a storm-related challenge for residents,

Of course, the positivity pool also overflowed in the tight-knit Orange residential community. Others outside the fire department also stepped in to support the effort.

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The department launched a challenge to residents Monday as the big storm wrapped up to give firefighters a little relief after they left their families and pulled a grueling 24-hour shift during the storm.

The town of Orange Fire Marshal’s Office fire hydrant challenge goes like this: Shovel out a fire hydrant in town, send a photo and be entered into a drawing for one of three $10 Dunkin gift cards purchased by the department. The challenge appears on the town of Orange Fire Marshal Facebook page.

Fire Marshal James Vincent said there are more than 500 fire hydrants in town and volunteer firefighters had spent six hours shoveling around hydrants while answering 15 calls for service, including for suspected carbon monoxide, helping with medical calls, shoveling pathways for emergencies, putting out a highway car fire at the height of the storm.

Hydrants are cleared in case they’re needed to help put out a fire and saving that time, about 10 minutes, can make all the difference if there’s a fire, Vincent said.

The challenge posted on Facebook was met with more than 300 positive comments.

But Vincent was met with negative comments as well that were posted on Facebook, including, “for what I pay in taxes, they should be cleared by town workers.”

Vincent’s response on Facebook, “Ok, which town workers are you referring to? Public works who are already out for long hours trying to clean up the streets? Or maybe park and rec who are already out clearing town and school buildings?”

“What started out as a fun way to get our residents to help out our volunteer firefighters has turned into regret. With that, I want to clarify a few things. This idea came from sitting around a table at the firehouse with the volunteer Fire Chief Vaughan Dumas after 24 hours of nonstop response to 15 calls for service throughout the blizzard…”

Another commenter asked, “Why are my tax dollars going towards gift cards?”

Vincent’s answer, “They’re not. The gift cards were bought and paid for out of my pocket, Chief Dumas’ pocket, and one of the police officers. This is not costing the town a dime, just to have a little recognition for those who help out.”

Another wrote of firefighters, “They chose to volunteer.”

Vincent’s answer on Facebook, “Yup, you’re right; our amazing firefighters give freely of their time. After standing by at the firehouse and responding throughout the blizzard, when it was all said and done they had to go home and dig out their own houses.

“Even still, they were out all day yesterday shoveling out hydrants. There are over 600 hydrants in town. It’s a pretty tall order. There are plenty that still need attention.”

Then a commenter wrote: “Lot of work for a chance for $10 coffee.”

Vincent “apologized.”

“Sorry it’s not more lucrative. Feel free to not participate! For those who are participating, we thank you. For those who shovel out their hydrants regardless, we thank you, too! We understand how difficult it can be!”

Vincent said when he was growing up his father taught him to shovel the fire hydrant automatically when he dug out the mailbox.

But in small town, community-minded Orange, the well-wishes and generosity flowed faster than the less-than-well wishing.

They started with the three gift cards, the police department added one, a dispatcher and her boyfriend dropped one off and First Selectman Jim Zeoli said he planned to drop off a few.

So far 13 people have joined the challenge that’s running until Friday and there are more chances

Many residents who didn’t enter the contest, so someone else might win, also sent photos of their dug out hydrants, Vincent said. Vincent said the challenge will return in any future big storms.