Decorah city officials request the public's help with important snow-related issues

Winter has arrived in Decorah, so City of Decorah officials are asking for the public's help in dealing with the snow.

The city's Water Department, Fire Department and Streets Department are all asking the public for help in keeping fire hydrants accessible during the winter by shoveling away snow. When firefighters arrive at the scene of a fire, one of their first tasks is to open the nearest hydrant in order to have enough water to fight the fire. Hydrants covered in snow can be difficult to locate, and uncovering them can waste valuable time from the task that really matters -- fighting the fire.

The city's Street Department is also reminding the public that following a large snowstorm, vehicles should be parked on even-numbered sides of streets, to allow snow plows to clear away snow on the odd-numbered sides of streets. The next day the procedure will be reversed.