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March Madness is in full swing.
No. 9 TCU pulled off one of the first upsets of this year, beating No. 8 Ohio State in the first round on Thursday. The ninth seed defeating the eighth seed became a theme early in this year’s NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament, with all four No. 9 seeds defeating their No. 8 opponents.
But as fans follow the college basketball action closely, the New York City Fire Department shared a reminder about fire hydrant protocol and safety amid the excitement.
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Water drips from a hydrant as firefighters gather in Lower Manhattan near Ground Zero in response to a fire at a luxury skyscraper under construction on March 20, 2024 in New York City, New York. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
“It’s March Madness, and blocking shots is part of the game. But blocking a fire hydrant? That’s never okay,” the fire department wrote in X.
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The FDNY added that vehicles parked at fire hydrants can cause delays at critical times.
An FDNY truck in Manhattan, New York, July 5, 2024. (Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“Parking at fire hydrants is ILLEGAL in New York City and can delay first responders when seconds matter most. Keep fire hydrants clear so FDNY members can quickly get water in the event of a fire. Do not park at fire hydrants.”
A campaign highlighting another New York City department continues to strengthen ties to the world of sports. The “Thank you, NYPD” movement is an ongoing effort to show appreciation to officers.
The campaign has encouraged residents to upload videos expressing their appreciation for the department. Saint John Head coach Rick Pitino was among those who responded, thanking those he said had helped maintain a safe environment in the city.
A detailed view of the New York City Police Department logo on an officer’s uniform on September 3, 2025. (Gardiner Anderson/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
“I want to sincerely thank the NYPD officers who do such an incredible job keeping our city safe,” Pitino said Friday in a video posted to Madison Square Garden’s Instagram account. “Thank you so much.”
Pitino’s show of gratitude came just hours before the Red Storm’s 79-53 victory over Northern Iowa in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday.
