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March Madness is in full swing.
No. 9 TCU pulled off one of the first upsets of the year, topping No. 8 Ohio State in the first round on Thursday. The ninth seed taking on the eighth seed became an early theme 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 keep a close eye on college basketball action, the New York City Fire Department shared a reminder about hydrant protocol and safety amid the excitement.
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Water drips from a fire hydrant as firefighters gather in Lower Manhattan near Ground Zero in response to a fire at a luxury high-rise 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 OK,” the fire department wrote on X.
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The FDNY added that vehicles parked at hydrants can cause delays at critical moments.
An FDNY truck in Manhattan, NY, July 5, 2024. (Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“Parking on hydrants is ILLEGAL in New York City and can delay first responders when seconds matter most. Keep hydrants clear so FDNY members can quickly get water on a fire. Do not park on hydrants.”
A campaign spotlighting another New York City department continues to strengthen ties to the sports world. The “Thank You, NYPD” movement is an ongoing effort to show appreciation for officers.
The campaign has encouraged residents to upload videos expressing appreciation for the department. St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino was among those who responded, thanking those he said have helped maintain a safe urban environment.
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 give a sincere thank you to the NYPD officers who do such an incredible job keeping our city safe,” Pitino said Friday in a video posted on Madison Square Garden’s Instagram account. “Thank you very much.”
Pitino’s expression of gratitude came just hours before the Red Storm’s 79-53 win over Northern Iowa in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday.
