[Right Wing Assault]

Of course all hydrants are off right at the hydrant. Imagine unscrewing the cap and trying to hook up a hose with a 3-4” stream of high pressure water coming out.

This sounds as if there is another valve between the hydrant and the water main. If so, there must be access of some kind in a valve box in the street. Otherwise, how would the water company turn it off?

“Warning! This fire hydrant must not be used to put out fires!”

[Realism]

This sounds as if there is another valve between the hydrant and the water main.

Yep, its standard practice to place a gate valve between the main and the hydrant. But normally this valve is only used for hydrant replacement or repair. The normal operating valve is located at the top of the hydrant.