Millville, N.J — Sept. 21: The Millville Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. arranged and led a rural water supply practice including various fire departments from across the region on Saturday. The training was meant to prepare firemen for operations in locations lacking hydrants, where a consistent water supply must be established via tanker shuttle operations.

The exercise came after weeks of planning and coordination. Using a pond as the water source, crews drafted water into tanker apparatus that then shuttled loads to a designated dump site. There, portable drop tanks and a supporting tanker maintained an ample reserve for fire attack operations. The objective was to sustain a continuous flow of 500 gallons per minute, a benchmark for rural firefighting scenarios. Under the guidance of instructors from the Maryland State Firemen’s Association (MSFA) Water Supply and Resources, the participating teams exceeded expectations, achieving flow rates of 800 to 850 gallons per minute.

The drill highlighted the importance of interoperability among departments. Firefighters were able to practice communications, equipment setup, and water movement techniques that will prove critical during real emergencies. Multi-agency exercises such as this ensure that departments can work seamlessly together when mutual aid is needed.

Several partner organizations contributed to the success of the training. Bishop’s Landing and Millville by the Sea provided neighborhood locations to host the operations. Atlantic Maintenance Group and FirstService Residential kept crews fueled with food and drinks, while Key Hose supplied training hose lines that reduced wear on department-owned equipment. Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company covered Millville’s district during the event to ensure local protection.

Fire companies that participated in the exercise included Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company, Roxana Volunteer Fire Company, Dagsboro Volunteer Fire Department, Millsboro Fire Company, Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company, and Girdletree Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., along with MSFA Water Supply and Resources.

Rural water supply remains a critical challenge for departments serving suburban and coastal areas of Delaware and Maryland. Drills like this one allow firefighters to measure their capabilities, strengthen partnerships, and confirm readiness for incidents where every gallon counts.