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February 16, 2026 02:24 PM •
NEW YORK — FDNY officials are warning that illegal parking in front of fire hydrants is delaying emergency response and putting residents and firefighters at risk.
With parking scarce across New York City, the department says it is seeing more drivers blocking hydrants, forcing crews to spend valuable time locating alternate water sources when responding to fires, according to WABC.
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“It comes down to every second counts,” FDNY Chief of Operations Kevin Woods said.
When crews responded to a fire at a Buddhist temple in the Bronx in February 2025, they found a vehicle blocking a hydrant, forcing firefighters to connect to another water source and run longer hose lines. Two people died in the fire, and FDNY officials said the delay underscored how hydrant-blocking can endanger residents and firefighters.
A month later, a hydrant was blocked again during a Jerome Avenue business fire, this time by a food truck. FDNY officials said similar incidents were reported in June, September, November, December and January.
311 complaints about blocked hydrants have risen 157% over the past six years, from 62,126 to 165,021, with hotspots in parts of Queens and Brooklyn. In February, the city began issuing criminal summonses to drivers blocking hydrants at active fire scenes.
Officials said 10 summonses have been issued so far, with fines ranging from $2,500 to $4,000. Two more cases were reported last month, indicating the problem is continuing.
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Bill Carey is the associate editor for FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com. A former Maryland volunteer firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant, Bill has written for several fire service publications and platforms. His work on firefighter behavioral health garnered a 2014 Neal Award nomination. His ongoing research and writings about line-of-duty death data is frequently cited in articles, presentations, and trainings. Have a news tip? He can be reached at [email protected].
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