Firefighters use resources that are available to t (go back »)

Water Hose There are many crucial aspects to fighting a fire, and for south county fire departments one of those key components is teamwork.Unlike many northern communities, southern communities do not have an abundance of fire hydrants, so fire departments must use the resources available to them. By working together as a team, the various volunteer fire departments in the southern part of the county create a tanker water shuttle to create a continuous supply of water in the event of a fire.Once a month, firefighters from Morgan Hose Fire Company, Rome Township Volunteer Fire Department, Hartsgrove Volunteer Fire Department, Trumbull Township Volunteer Fire Department, Orwell Volunteer Fire Department and Windsor Volunteer Fire Department train together to make sure the operation flows smoothly.“We’re trying to sustain a certain number of gallons over a period of so many minutes,” said Lt. Joe Froncek, of Rome Township fire department.During the training sessions, the departments basically simulate exactly what they would do at a structure fire. Two sites are set up, one to fill the tankers and one to serve as the fire scene. Two dump tanks, where water is stored, are set up at the mock scene into which water is drawn and then filtered into an engine. Firefighters then use the engine’s deck gun to unload water onto the structure, Froncek said.“It’s the same concept as when we have a structure fire,” he said. “Hopefully, we can sustain a constant water source.”Time is of the essence when fighting fires, and it is crucial in southern communities to maintain a constant water source.“We dump the water out the back of the truck and go get another load,” Froncek said. “We’re constantly shuttling water to the site.”South county fire departments generally have dry hydrants set up at various locations in their communities, specifically near ponds, which is a great source to obtain water, he said.“We might use two sources,” Froncek said. “It depends on how large the structure is and how much water Hose is needed.”The location of the water site also varies with respect to the actual fire l0cation. For training purposes, the sites are generally close. The average tanker truck carries approximately 3,000 gallons of water.“It’s a great way for us to work with other departments,” said Lt. Shaun Buehner, of Rome Township fire department. “Some of them we get to work with on a regular basis, and some we don’t.”