By Brian Zaitz
Water supply is often not a consideration for many fire departments because their first-dues are littered with hydrants. Although this makes water supply less of a concern, it still must be considered and trained for when these hydrants malfunction or fail during the alarm. For many, though, water supply is a primary consideration when these departments find themselves in areas with no hydrants and have to either draft from static water sources or haul water to the scene for suppression. The great debate surfaces when we are faced with a limited water supply (LWS) or a rural water supply situation and we must decide whether we have sufficient water or if we need a sustained water supply. In this case, “sufficient” means enough water on hand to make a primary attack and knock down of the fire, limiting fire growth and protecting occupants still trapped. “Sustained” means a water supply with which many of us are familiar: a continuous supply of water from a hydrant, a well-organized water shuttle operation, or a drafting operation pumping to the scene (photo 1). Although it is a great debate, it is a call that is made all the time.
(1) Photos by author.
Consider arriving first-due in an area with hydrants. Do you lay in or proceed to the scene? Now consider factors such as arrival time of the second-due, the proximity of the hydrant to the scene, the situation at hand (large working fire, smoke showing, nothing visible, and so on), and the capabilities of your apparatus and crew. This is the same list of considerations in LWS situations, but it is augmented by the next arrival’s capabilities and the forecast for future needs. So, the question remains: when do you stop and lay the line in and when do you go straight to the scene? The answer relies heavily on experience and training.
Your experience as a company officer and the response to these situations will dictate your call in laying in or going to the scene. However, your training with your apparatus, your crew, and your tactics for transitional and large diameter attack line flow will dictate your success. The determining question is essentially this: If you go straight to the scene, will you be able to effect an immediate operation that will save lives and property? Although many would always respond “yes,” the second part would be “…or would starting/establishing a sustained water supply be a more prudent option because of fire involvement?” Again, this will be based greatly on the experience and ability to judge fire flow to fire volume.
As the first-due arriving officer, it is critical to consider water supply, especially if you are arriving with a larger than normal water supply such as what is found on a tanker/pumper (photo 2). The rationale for these apparatus and large booster tanks (greater than 1,000 gallons) is to have adequate water on hand for your primary attack and a quick knockdown. A large amount of fire can be cooled and knocked down with 1,000 gallons of water. Although it would be great to have the sustained water supply, it is not always practical. It has been proven how quickly fire grows, especially in today’s lighter weight construction; time is of the essence, and you must deploy resources appropriately for the given situation, which includes critical water flow. Establishing a sustained water supply, although necessary, is a time-consuming process; when sufficient water, is available it must be used for fire attack (photo 3).
(2)
(3)
At some point, you will need to establish a water supply, in one form or another, so how will you accomplish a water supply in these LWS situations (sometimes referred to as “rural water supply” situations). Many choose to drop portable tanks on the ground as static water sources for engines to draft and pump water to the scene. Although this works, it does take up significant space on what are normally narrow, sometimes nonpaved roadways. In addition, this elaborate setup takes time and relies on apparatus having not only the ability to dump water quickly but from a predetermined side, which is often not the case with today’s pumper-tankers (photo 4).
(4)
The other option is to drop a dry line with a wye and set up what is commonly referred to as the “hitch” or supply point (photo 5). This wye can be siamese or gated, which allows for two apparatus to be “hitched” at once; while only one apparatus pumps at a time, it provides continuous, sustained fire flow. Its disadvantage is that it requires communications among numerous pump operators. Likewise, there are also time and space requirements.
(5)
Another option is to bring a tanker to the scene, creating a “portable hydrant” for immediate use (sufficient vs. sustained). A tanker carrying 3,000 gallons coupled with an engine carrying 750 to 1,000 gallons can make an aggressive, quick attack if the team is properly practiced and trained. As with anything, the key to success is practice and training on the different methods and knowing when and why each is applicable for the situation.
There are no set, hard-fast rules for these situations. Dealing with limited water supply situations is tough; we are trying to box with one hand tied behind our backs. That being said, you must train and practice on these scenarios on tabletop and in practical HOT exercises for true success on the fireground.
RELATED FIREFIGHTER TRAINING
- Water Supply Tactics: Expect the Unexpected
- Assessing Rural Water Supply: A Geospatial Approach
- How to Ensure Your Water Supply – Fire Engineering
Brian Zaitz is a 14-year fire service veteran assigned as the captain-training officer with the Metro West Fire Protection District. He is an instructor with Engine House Training, LLC as well as an instructor at the St. Louis County Fire Academy. In addition, Zaitz is a safety officer with the FEMA USAR team Missouri Task Force 1. He has a masters of science in human resource development from Indiana State University, a bachelors of science in fire science management from Lindenwood University, and an associates of science in paramedic technology from St. Louis Community College. Zaitz also has several certifications including Fire Officer II, Fire Instructor II, and is accredited as a chief training officer.
