BOSTON – Last week, as the Blizzard of 2026 dropped over 17 inches of snow on Boston, State Representative David Biele issued a friendly fire hydrant challenge to the youth of South Boston.  With over 13,000 fire hydrants in the City of Boston, Rep. Biele issued a call to action on Facebook and Instagram to youth and teens in South Boston, promising a $10 gift card to local youth who helped shovel out a fire hydrant or sidewalk ramp at crosswalks in South Boston.

In response to the call to action, youth and teens cleared over 35 fire hydrants across South Boston, as well as several ramps at crosswalks to increase accessibility, sharing photos of their hard work via social media.

“Clearing snow from fire hydrants keeps our community safe by saving firefighters time when responding to an emergency,” said Rep. Biele.  “Rather than having to clear a hydrant buried in the snow, firefighters can have access to an already shoveled out hydrant and focus on responding to an emergency.  We had an amazing turnout by our youth who stepped up and did a great job for our neighborhood.”

To say “thank you,” Rep. Biele will be delivering gift cards to Sullivan’s or JP Licks to the local youth and teens who showed up to shovel out our neighborhood and make our community safer during the record-breaking storm.