The city of Medford is giving its fire hydrants a new look to help firefighters operate more efficiently. Work began in October and is being handled by a private contractor hired by the Medford Water Commission. The barrels, or main bodies, of the hydrants are being painted reflective silver to increase visibility at night, while the tops, or bonnets, will be color-coded.
The color-coding system will allow firefighters to quickly determine water flow at each hydrant, helping them make faster decisions during emergencies. Several hydrants around Medford have already received the silver coating, with the colored bonnets scheduled to be completed as part of the city’s normal maintenance cycle over the coming years.
The update follows National Fire Protection Association standards (NFPA 291) for hydrant marking and flow testing. Medford Fire Department and Medford Water coordinated the project to improve safety and operational efficiency.
