Colton Holmes, a nine-year-old from Fort Dodge, Iowa, cleared heavy snow from a neighborhood fire hydrant after a winter storm. The Fort Dodge Fire Department used that same hydrant the next day to fight a structure fire, and officials say not having to dig out the hydrant saved valuable time. Colton was honored with a patch, a "challenge coin," and a ride to school on a fire truck.
9-Year-Old Shovels Out Fire Hydrant — The Next Day It Helped Firefighters Save Lives
KCRG-TV9Colton Holmes
A nine-year-old boy in Fort Dodge, Iowa, is being praised for a simple act that helped first responders during an emergency. After a heavy winter storm, Colton Holmes cleared deep snow from a neighborhood fire hydrant — and the Fort Dodge Fire Department used that same hydrant the next day to fight a structure fire.
How a Neighborhood Effort Made a Difference
City crews and residents had been working to reopen roads and sidewalks following the storm. The Fort Dodge Fire Department (FDFD) ran a community challenge on its Facebook page asking families to clear snow around hydrants — "three feet on each side" — and to post photos for a chance to win a ride to school for two children aboard a fire truck.
Nine-year-old Colton took part and dug out a hydrant in his neighborhood. "I wanted to help people out and be a hero," Colton told local journalists, explaining why he joined the effort.
gettyFire hydrant surrounded by snow (stock image)
Hydrant Was Needed the Next Day
The following day, FDFD crews used the hydrant Colton had cleared to supply water for firefighters battling a structure fire. Fort Dodge Lt. Devon Schuster said time was critical given recent heavy snowfall. "Fire actually doubles in size every minute, so the fact that we didn't have to dig out a fire hydrant saved us an immense amount of time," he told reporters.
"Given the situation, the heavy snowfall recently, time was of the essence," — Fort Dodge Lt. Devon Schuster.
For his initiative, Colton received a special patch and a "challenge coin" to recognize his leadership, and he enjoyed the promised ride to school aboard a fire truck. Local outlets reported there were no injuries from the blaze, though several residents and pets were displaced.
Local news organizations that covered the story include KCRG-TV9, KCCI and Fox 10. PEOPLE also reported on the incident and noted the department had not returned a request for comment as of Dec. 11.
