| For tonight’s training, members reviewed water supply operations, specifically the use of what is commonly called a clapper valve, or Siamese valve.
This piece of equipment is especially useful during incidents in areas without fire hydrants, where tankers are needed to shuttle large quantities of water to the scene.
The valve allows two pieces of apparatus—preferably tankers carrying large quantities of water—to connect to the water supply at the same time. Because the two trucks may be pumping at different rates, the truck pumping at the higher rate will supply the water first. Once that truck is empty, the valve automatically allows the second truck to take over, maintaining a consistent flow of water to crews operating on the fireground.
This setup allows the empty tanker to disconnect and head back to the fill site while another full tanker moves into its place, helping keep the water supply operation moving with as little interruption as possible.
Tonight, crews utilized Engine 49-1, Engine 49-2 and Engine 49-5 to practice setting up the valve, connecting the associated pony sections and rotating apparatus through the operation while flowing water.
This was Part 1 of our water supply training.
Next week, we take it to a much larger scale. East Brandywine Fire Company will be joined by several neighboring departments for a full-scale water supply operation involving multiple tankers, engines and aerial apparatus. The training will give crews an opportunity to practice the coordination and teamwork required to establish and maintain a large-scale water supply in an area without hydrants.
Stay tuned for Water Supply Training – Part 2! 🚒💦 |
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