A system for providing access to a fire hydrant. The system includes an actuator extension having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end. The first end is configured to be mounted on an exterior location on the fire hydrant, so that the first end is operatively engaged with a valve actuator of the fire hydrant, the valve actuator being selectively rotatable to cause a valve of the fire hydrant to open and close. The second end is spaced from the first end and is configured to facilitate application of an externally-applied force and transmission of such force to the first end of the actuator extension.