Time is of the essence when it comes to putting out fires and saving lives. That’s why, from time to time, you’ll see fire crews damaging parked cars to hook up their trucks with the supply of a hydrant. In this instance, the internet isn’t so pleased with FDNY firefighters smashing the windows of a parked Honda Accord to access a hydrant. 

FDNY firefighters smashed several windows and cleared obstacles to clear a path to the nearest fire hydrant– and the internet isn’t giving them any slack

A recent X (formerly Twitter) post showcased firefighters from the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) “clearing obstacles” to access a fire hydrant during an emergency. Now, firefighters routinely hook up or “catch” hydrants to supply engines and truck-mounted pumps with vital water. However, this short clip captured firefighters doing something the public finds controversial. 

In this instance, the FDNY firefighters were smashing several windows on a nearby 10-generation Honda Accord. Unfortunately for the owner, and depending on the department, firefighters are well within their rights to smash windows and cause reasonable amounts of damage to illegally parked cars to access hydrants. After all, a fire engine carries a finite supply of water to use to save property. Hooking up to a hydrant is essential for fire suppression operations. 

However, even with the legality of causing the damage, X is, well, less than pleased with the public safety professionals. Comments like “You shouldn’t block a hydrant but I think that was a little unnecessary” are commonplace on Science girl’s post.  Furthermore, some users were quick to reach for the armchair expert wrap-up. “Just another guy on a power trip, I get it, don’t block hydrants but c’mon, totally unnecessary.”

In the defense of the FDNY firefighters, every moment in a fully-involved structure fire is vital. Additionally, while the firefighters in the situation aren’t in PPE or using the right tools to smash windows, you have to do what you have to do. 

That said, I (fortunately) never had to break car windows to hook a hydrant during my brief tenure as a professional firefighter. Instead, we were able to get supply lines around cars or catch hydrants with five-inch lines and drive up to the scene. However, we emphasized the importance of lives and property over parked cars. Unfortunately for this Honda Accord owner, it appears that the sedan was legally parked. 

Check out the X post featuring FDNY firefighters smashing windows and clearing foot-level obstacles on the New York City street below!