local news USA

9-year-old boy in Iowa cleared snow from a fire hydrant, helping firefighters respond faster and save lives during an emergency the very next day.

_FORT DODGE, Iowa – Dec 14, 2025 – People

In the quiet town of Fort Dodge, Iowa, during a snowy winter afternoon, the actions of a 9-year-old boy doing the right thing would soon prove to be an important lesson in realizing that it sometimes takes only awareness to make a difference. From the initial decision to take the time to remove the snow from a fire hydrant to helping the fire department respond to a deadly fire at a local house, only 24 hours would pass to prevent any injuries or damage to the property.

### A Small Deed on a Snowy Day

At about 3:45 p.m. local time on Saturday, December 13, 2025, a layer of fresh snow covered neighborhoods in **Fort Dodge**, extending several inches thick over sidewalks, driveways, parked cars, and community elements of safe rescue services. Citizens were occupied with clearing sidewalks to front doors and driveways before a further drop in temperature.

Among the members of the neighborhood watch was Colton Holmes. Colton was only a fourth grader and had just completed his own daily chores when something caught his notice. In the area surrounding the homes of his own family and those of the other members of the watch was a bright yellow fire hydrant—easy to notice under ordinary circumstances—that had been nearly fully concealed.

Colton paused, remembering lessons from school assemblies and community safety meetings about the need to keep fire hydrants open, and especially with the approach of winter. Blocking fire hydrants, he remembered, can cause delays when firemen are trying to put out a fire, when seconds count between containment and catastrophe.

Without being asked, Colton grabbed the little shovel, put on his winter gloves, and set to work on the snow.

For almost 20 minutes, he worked Purposefully, creating a wide circle around the hydrant. He dug out the base, created a visible path from the street, and ensured easy Accessibility for the hydrant from various directions. When he finished, the hydrant was prominently visible, standing out against the snow.

His parents later revealed that they noticed him at work, but they did not stop him because they thought he had a purpose. That purpose, as proved later, was simplicity itself.

“I just figured maybe the firemen might need it,” explained Colton. “And it didn’t take very long.”

There were no sirens blaring, no emergency calls going out, no sense that his actions were about to make a difference so soon. It was just a kid doing what he knew was right.

### A Fire Breaks Out Overnight

But just hours later, in the early morning hours of Sunday, December 14, 2025, this decision would prove momentous.

.round 2:10 a.m., dispatchers of the emergency services received several calls on the 911 emergency number about thick smoke and fire billowing from a residential house several blocks away. It was reported that several people were still inside the house when the fire broke out.

Firefighters from the **Fort Dodge Fire Department** were called immediately. When firefighters arrived, they found visible fire and smoke emanating into the freezing evening air. The snowy streets, icy spots, and sub-zero wind chill factors made the situation even more difficult for the firefighters to deal with.

Fires in winter are more hazardous. Low temperatures may damage the equipment, the hoses may become hard or even frozen, and snow banks may cover the accessible hydrants. In most instances, firefighters have to take precious minutes to dig out the hydrants prior to creating an adequate water supply.

Yet, on this night, something was different.

Crew members swiftly positioned their engines and laid their hose lines and found their nearest water source—the hydrant. There would be no excavation needed, nor would it be a matter of seconds when they would be ready as firefighters hooked up their hoses and turned on the water supply.

It was the same fire hydrant that Colton had opened a short while before.

# Seconds That Matter

Later on, fire officials confirmed that this clear hydrant contributed significantly to reduced response time during the initial stages of the fire.

As one fire department spokesperson explained at a briefing following the event, “Seconds count in a structure fire. If our firefighters had had to stop and dig out the hydrant, it would have taken longer for the water to reach the fire. Having the hydrant turned on and ready to use right away made all the difference.”

Given the rapid flow of water, the firefighters were able to fight the fire ferociously before the fire could engulf other houses in the neighborhood. It took the firefighters the entire night to control the fire despite the freezing temperatures.

All the members living in the house managed to escape safely. Some members were treated for minor inhalation of smoke at the scene; there were no serious casualties reported. Adjacent houses were not damaged.

However, according to fire officials, there could have been a worse scenario if the water supply had been delayed.

### A Discovery after the Fire

A while later that morning, during the routine checks by the firefighters, some of the team members observed an unusual thing. In an area where many hydrants were partially covered by snow, there was one that was completely exposed.

Curious about who might have done this, the firefighters asked some nearby individuals if anyone knew anything about this deforestation area

That’s when their neighbors found all the clues and implicated Colton.

The news spread like wildfire through the community, and then through the entire city. Local authorities, as well as media, were trying to get in contact with the family by mid-morning. The incident was shortly posted on **People.com**, acquiring national attention for “a textbook example of community awareness,” coined by firefighters.

# Fire Department Praise in Public

The Fort Dodge Fire Department publicly commended Colton’s behavior, saying that while fire departments are trained for emergency situations, participation in these efforts is equally important in maintaining public safety.

“People often do not realize how dangerous snow-covered hydrants can be,” said a statement by the department. “This child’s alertness is a direct help to us in responding effectively. The safety of people is a community responsibility.”

Fire officials pointed out that during intense snowstorms, a matter of up to 60 percent of fire hydrants in residential areas can potentially be partially or altogether blocked.

### Recognition and Community Pride

Later in the afternoon of December 14, the fire department visited Colton with his family in his home. They thanked the boy personally, gifted him a token of appreciation, and also awarded him the certificate of an honorary fireman complete with a helmet child-sized.

The neighbors gathered outside, applauding as Colton received the honor. Many claimed they felt inspired to inspect their hydrants after hearing his story.

“He reminded us that a uniform is not necessary to help others, that awareness is enough,” said one of the residents of the community where he worked.

This attitude was also shared by city administrators, who urged citizens to follow easy measures after a snowstorm.

### A Teachable Moment for the Community

Fire safety officials say Colton’s experience is an opportune time for teaching. Removing an area three feet around fire hydrants and making it easily accessible from the road is highly beneficial when responding to fires.

In Iowa and throughout the Midwest, hometown fire departments have continually warned area residents about the dangers of winter weather. Snow drifts can conceal fire hydrants, street signs, and even house numbers, which are essential to firefighters in emergencies.

As a result of the incident, some educational institutions around the area have started including his story in winter safety education.

#Parents React With Pride

“Colton’s parents were proud, but not surprised, by their son’s actions.”

“He’s always thinking of ways to help,” his mother added. “We talk a lot about the concept of community responsibility, and he has taken this lesson to heart.”

They explained, “While the award was certainly the honor and reward, the greater reward is just the knowledge that perhaps he has helped maintain the safety of others.”

    They explained, “While the award was certainly the honor

### Why This Matters

Winter fires present distinct hazards. The freezing of hoses and fire ladders, along with low visibility, already increases the dangers associated with firefighting. The obstruction of hydrants adds to these risks for both fire personnel and people who are likely stuck inside the burning structures.

Fire officials state that Colton’s behavior probably prevented additional property damage and contributed towards a safer outcome for those involved.

### A Simple Message With Big Impact

“For Colton, it’s been a lot of media attention—but I hope it gets conveyed in a simple way,” Bahr

“Anyone can help,” he said. “You don’t have to be a firefighter.” # A Reminder During the Winter Months With winter storms also occurring within the Midwest, the city of Fort Dodge encourages citizens to do as Colton has done: check the hydrant nearby after each snowfall. It started as a quiet afternoon chore. Then, in an instant, this ordinary task reminded me of something extraordinary. Heroism doesn’t always roar. Sometimes, heroism shov

Reference source

people.com