Meet the Brandon man who dug out 100 fire hydrants this winter

Tim Newman of Brandon, Man. used this shovel to dig out 100 fire hydrants over a 10-week period this winter. (Tim Newman)

While most Manitobans tuck away their snow shovels in sheds or garages for the summer, Brandon’s Tim Newman could make the argument to display his on a mantle.

Newman used his trusty shovel to free 100 fire hydrants of snow and ice over a 10-week stretch from late January to early April.

“I’d be driving home from work and all of a sudden, ‘oh, there’s a snowbank! I’m going to get that after supper,” Newman told CTV News.

Newman’s conquest to dig out 100 fire hydrants as stemmed from an annual competition put on by the Kinette Club of Brandon.

The Adopt-a-Hydrant Contest tasked Brandon residents to pick up a shovel and help Brandon Fire and Emergency Services (BFES) over the winter months.

According to the rules, contestants needed to clear 3 ft. of space around a fire hydrant and post a photo of their work to Facebook to enter a weekly gift card draw.

Newman racked up $1,000 in gift card earnings throughout the contest, but said his real motivation was pitching in to support BFES crews. He said a blocked or buried fire hydrant can significantly delay response times in an emergency.

“If you’ve ever shoveled out a fire hydrant, you’re sitting there scraping away thick ice or deep snow. By the time I was done, I’d just be huffing and puffing.” Newman explained. “Those guys, they’ve got to clear and keep moving. Every little minute and second helps.”

Newman posted each of his conquests on social media and garnered plenty of attention from friends and followers. He said people would message or call him with tips on buried hydrant locations.

“I’m thinking, ‘hey, it’s a contest. Why do you guys all get out there and shovel too?” he said with a laugh. “But I did appreciate everybody helping out.”

Those tips led Newman to all parts of the Wheat City and each fire hydrant presented its own challenge.

“Some [hydrants] were like nine or 10 feet in,” he said. “I’d make a little trench in there and then still have to go around.”

Melanie Johnston, the Kinette Club of Brandon’s treasurer, said a total of 138 fire hydrants were cleared during this year’s contest and commended Newman for his incredible achievement.

“It’s been great. We’ve been cheering him on this whole time,” Johnston told CTV News. “He’s been so supportive.”

Johnston said the Adopt-a-Hydrant Contest is a way to get people more involved in their community – one scoop of snow at a time.

“It comes down to being good neighbours,” she said. “It’s such a crucial thing when those precious seconds mean the most if there ever was an emergency.”

She said the Kinette Club of Brandon is already planning next year’s contest.

“I think a lot of people started to pay attention and realize what he and everyone else accomplished this year,” Johnston said. “And next year, I’m trying to make this bigger and better than ever.”

Newman said other shovellers deserve just as much credit for clearing the fire hydrants, and he hopes others jump on board next winter to help create a safer city.

“It was just a small part I could play,” Newman said. “And it was quite fun.”