West Mead #1 started a new year of training with about 15 firefighters practicing water supply in cold weather conditions. Fire Chief Brad Johnston reviewed portable pump assembly and operations in Alden Street station. Then Captain Steve Harvey guided the crews in Engines 28-13, 28-12, and 28-11 to a pond on Phelps Road for hands-on practice.

Firefighters cut through the pond ice, set up a 500 gpm portable pump with 20 feet of 4″ hard suction and a barrel strainer, and connected it to 100′ of 4″ large diameter hose. Water was circulated through Engine 28-11 and returned to the pond through 11’s deck gun.

Staying sharp on winter-time water supply operations is essential in rural northwestern Pennsylvania.