What is the primary function of a fire hydrant?

The primary function of a fire hydrant is to provide an emergency water supply for fire-fighting efforts. Fire hydrants are strategically placed throughout urban and suburban areas to ensure that firefighters have quick access to a substantial volume of water when responding to a fire. This access is crucial because it allows firefighters to quickly extinguish flames, thereby minimizing property damage and saving lives. Hydrants are connected directly to the municipal water supply, enabling them to deliver the high flow rates needed for effective fire suppression.

Other options such as distributing gas, filtering water, or collecting rainwater are not relevant to the function of a fire hydrant. Each of those roles is fulfilled by different types of infrastructure designed specifically for those purposes, highlighting the specialized nature of fire hydrants in emergency response scenarios.