Commack residents are urged to shovel a pathway around fire hydrants in the area so that volunteers have access to them in case of a fire.
Fire Commissioner Pat Fazio said that volunteers have been out all day shoveling around the hydrants, but need the community's help in reaching them all.
"It is vitally important that the hydrants are clear," he said. "If not, God forbid we have a fire."
The commissioner said that the matter is absolutely urgent in case of a blaze.
An apartment fire already claimed the life of an 8-year-old boy, and injured 16 others in Hempstead this morning.
Fazio said that the fire department has been sending a plow along with its emergency response vehicles on calls today to ensure that firefighters can keep residents and volunteers safe.
