What is the primary role of a fire hydrant?

The primary role of a fire hydrant is to provide a water supply for fire suppression. Fire hydrants are strategically placed throughout urban and suburban areas to ensure that firefighters have quick access to a reliable source of water when combating fires. When a fire occurs, firefighting personnel can connect hoses to the hydrant, allowing them to draw a significant volume of water needed to extinguish flames effectively.

While other options may include functions that are helpful in community infrastructure or safety, they do not represent the main purpose of a fire hydrant. A hydrant is not designed to serve as a source of drinking water, connect to fire alarms, or indicate fire lanes, as these functions fall outside the primary intent of fire hydrants in emergency response situations.