April 2, 2022
The training scenario was based on a structure fire in the upper section of Swall Meadows, where there is no hydrant system. Firefighters must establish and maintain a reservoir of water at such a scene that will enable the team to suppress a fully involved structure fire and prevent spread with a continuous flow of water.
In late summer of 2021 WCFPD purchased a new water tender, Engine 3988, to improve its fire protection capabilities in the community. In November, the combined PFPD/WCFPD departments worked on a fire protection scenario that integrated 3988 into the department’s scope of operations. Leadership designed a training session to accomplish two objectives; familiarizing community firefighters with the operation of this new apparatus and improving the Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating of the department, which in turn positively impacts the cost of homeowners insurance in the community.
The departments deployed two WCFPD water tenders to relay water from a hydrant lower down the hill in the community to the scene and the PFPD class 1 engine as the pumper on initial attack. The water tenders dumped their loads into two portable tanks from which the pumper drafted water and supplied two attack hose lines.
During the training exercise we evaluated and improved many firefighter and leadership skills such as water supply, fire control, apparatus driving and operations, coordination, and incident command. In addition, it proved that the departments could deliver a continuous supply of water to a fire scene in the upper Meadows at a rate that is 50% higher than before the purchase of engine 3988 and led to a direct improvement in the WCFPD ISO rating. A successful outcome by any measure.
Wheeler Crest Fire Protection District 