Readsboro, Florida Mountain and Whitingham Crews Practiced Water Shuttle Operations

Readsboro, VT — September 22 — The Readsboro Fire Department collaborated with firefighters from Florida Mountain and Whitingham during a water supply training exercise in Monroe Bridge, Massachusetts. Readsboro Tanker 92-T1 participated in the activity, which was centered on transporting water to support an attack engine.

Throughout the drill, crews filled their firefighting vehicles at a dry hydrant and carried the water to the training location.

Water was then pumped into a portable tank, which supplied the Monroe Bridge attack engine. This exercise enabled firefighters to practice the essential steps involved in moving water from a supply source to an engine that is operating at an emergency scene.

During the drill, the crews moved about 22,000 gallons of water. The activity also offered a chance to practice collaboration between departments, water shuttle techniques, and the transfer of water between fire apparatus and portable storage units.

In rural areas where municipal fire hydrants are not readily available, fire departments often depend on dry hydrants, tanker shuttles, and portable tanks to maintain a consistent water supply for fire suppression.

These methods are especially important when an incident requires more water than the onboard tank of a fire engine can hold.

The training also allowed the participating crews to work together and gain experience with the equipment and procedures used in a shared water supply operation.

The drill emphasized the value of mutual aid cooperation and dependable water delivery in supporting firefighting efforts across rural communities.