One of the core skills to master in rural firefighting is the ability to draft water to use to fight fires when hydrants are not available. Fire engine drivers and their crews learn to combine specialized equipment and training to pull water from ponds, streams, portable tanks, and any source of available water, using the fire engine to draw water up and into the truck for use in hose lines and master streams.

On Monday evening, WGFC first responders went to the former quarry located on Lake Road in London Grove Township, near the intersection of Old Baltimore Pike and Route 41 to practice these skills. The quarry was flooded many years ago, and is a very deep, plentiful water source -- perfect for such training. Crews used large diameter 6" suction lines, paired with a floating strainer, to pull water from the quarry into Engine 22-1. The newest engine in the West Grove fleet features a modern priming system that uses air pressure to draw water up from the water source to the pump. The Engine's powerful pump can then distribute that water -- at up to 1500 gallons per minute -- to various hoses and water delivery devices.

For this training exercise, Engine 22-1 was the source of the draft, and the Engine then supplied a five inch supply line hooked to Ladder 22, using an elevated master stream to flow water back into the Quarry. Crews also practiced using the Engine's mounted deck gun, which also can flow high volumes of water like the ladder pipe. During the training, new and experienced engine operators practiced the drafting skill and experienced the ease at which the newer-style air primer helps assure and maintain a draft.

While the ease and known location and reliability of hydrants makes them preferred water sources, our rural area means that WGFC first responders may have to be creative to source water for firefighting purposes. Practicing the skill of drafting is part of the WGFC's commitment to continuous training and readiness.

Our thanks to London Grove Township for access to the quarry site for training.