Danville Fire Department

hat do Oscar the Grouch, Tigger the tiger, and Fire Inspector Jay Thornton W have in common? Don’t see it yet? Does expanding the list by adding an American flag and a firefighter help solve the riddle? Here’s a clue: Think fire hydrants.

Jay Thornton, Fire Inspector with the Danville Fire Department (DFD), was the organizer of the 2020 Make Danville Shine Hydrant Contest and all of the above were entries. Artistic DFD employees from three stations painted four hydrants with the goal of adding a little whimsy for passersby to enjoy. Jay explains how the contest originated three years ago, “We were looking for a way to go into the community and become involved while advertising the fire department.” At about the same time, a citizen requested permission to paint a hydrant during the month of May, the annual Make Danville Shine Month. The two ideas merged into a social media contest where votes could be cast by the community for their favorite painted hydrant.

Stephen Williamson, a member of the DFD social media team and Fire Support Analysis, jumps in with the details.

Firefighters from Station #5 Nathan Sergeant, Jared Collins, and Trevor Moyer celebrate with the winning trophy. Photos by Von Wellington Photography.

Adding Levity to a Serious Job

by Joyce Wilburn

“The contest was a good way to engage the community and boost our social media at the same time,” he says. Over 1,000 votes were cast this year before the June 2nd deadline. The 2020 entries join hydrants painted in previous years bringing the total of works of art to seven. Only employees of the fire department can paint the hydrants for very important reasons. “If someone paints over the hydrant threads and then firefighters can’t open it….” Stephen’s voice trails off, leaving unsaid the dire consequences of not being able to use a hydrant during a fire. Not using the proper weatherresistant paint is also a concern.

100 Third Avenue: This hydrant painted to resemble a firefighter by Station #5 won the 2020 Make Danville Shine Fire Hydrant Contest.

The coveted trophy has circulated among the three winning fire stations: #7,#3, #5.

Although protecting the people of Danville is very serious business, these two Danville natives enjoy the lighter side of their jobs. They hope the next time you pass Oscar or Tigger or another painted hydrant, you’ll think about the dedicated men and women of the Danville Fire Department. They work as a team 24/7 to protect us from danger but are also ready to nurture the lighter side of life.

• Downtown South Boston also has a fire hydrant walking tour with seventeen stops. Read about it at www.downtownsobo.com or call 434.575.4209.