Water Supply

1
Water Supply Skill Drills
2
Objectives
15

• Operate a fire hydrant.
• Shut down a fire hydrant.
• Unload and assemble a portable water tank.

3
Skill Drill 15-1Operating a Fire Hydrant
15
Step 1 Remove the cap from the outlet you will
be using.
Step 2 Quickly look inside the hydrant opening
for foreign objects. (Dry-barrel hydrant only.)
4
Skill Drill 15-1Operating a Fire Hydrant
15
Step 3 Check to ensure that the remaining caps
are snugly attached. (Dry-barrel hydrant only.)
Step 2 Attach the hydrant wrench to the stem
nut. Check for an arrow indicating the direction
to turn to open.
5
Skill Drill 15-1Operating a Fire Hydrant
15
Step 5 Open the hydrant enough to verify flow
and flush hydrant. (Dry-barrel hydrant only.)
Step 6 Shut off the flow of water. (Dry-barrel
hydrant only.)
6
Skill Drill 15-1Operating a Fire Hydrant
15
Step 7 Attach hose or valve to the hydrant
outlet(s).
Step 8 When instructed, turn the hydrant wrench
to fully open the valve.
7
Skill Drill 15-1Operating a Fire Hydrant
15
Step 9 Open slowly to avoid pressure surge.
8
Skill Drill 15-2Shutting Down a Hydrant
15
Step 1 Turn the wrench to slowly close the
hydrant valve.
Step 2 Drain the hose line. Slowly disconnect
the hose from the hydrant outlet.
9
Skill Drill 15-2Shutting Down a Hydrant
15
Step 3 Leave one hydrant outlet open until the
hydrant is fully drained.
Step 4 Replace the hydrant cap.
10
Skill Drill 15-3Setting Up a Portable Tank
15

1. Two fire fighters lift the portable tank off the
   apparatus. The tank may be mounted on a side
   rack, or on a hydraulic rack that lowers it to
   the ground.
2. Place the portable tank on level ground beside
   the engine. The pump operator will indicate the
   best location.

11
Skill Drill 15-3Setting Up a Portable Tank
15

1. Expand the tank (metal-frame type) or lay it flat
   (self-expanding type).
2. One fire fighter helps the pump operator place
   the strainer on the end of the suction hose, put
   the suction hose into the tank, and connect it to
   the engine.

12
Skill Drill 15-3Setting Up a Portable Tank
15

1. The other fire fighter helps the tanker driver
   discharge water into the portable tank. If the
   tank is self-expanding, the fire fighters may
   need to hold the collar until the water level is
   high enough for the tank to support itself.