What is the purpose of fire hydrants?

Fire hydrants serve a critical function in firefighting by providing an accessible water supply to emergency responders during a fire incident. This accessibility allows firefighters to quickly connect hoses and draw water directly from the pressurized municipal water system. The timely provision of water is essential in suppressing fires efficiently and effectively, thereby minimizing property damage and enhancing safety.

While traffic control can be important at fire scenes for managing the flow of emergency vehicles and personnel, it is not the primary purpose of hydrants. Similarly, although water storage is vital in firefighting, hydrants do not store water; they are designed for immediate access to the water supply. The idea of acting as a public safety feature against arson also does not align with the main function of hydrants, as their design and placement focus on providing water access primarily for firefighting operations rather than preventing arson.