Fire in Tuftonboro

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by PaugusBayFireFighter

I'm sure it was a very difficult job for the TFD. I would assume some smaller fire departments around the lake depend on drafting water for the lack of hydrants.

I have a question for PBFF.I happen to have a pond accross the street from my house.About 10 years ago a hydrant/pipe was installed to draw water from the pond.Is something like this feasible for a lakeside home for more protection.I'm sure there are limitations but my question is how high can trucks pull water up from a source?

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

I have a question for PBFF.I happen to have a pond accross the street from my house.About 10 years ago a hydrant/pipe was installed to draw water from the pond.Is something like this feasible for a lakeside home for more protection.I'm sure there are limitations but my question is how high can trucks pull water up from a source?

Typical fire hydrants drain down to the water main to prevent freezing above ground. These are the hydrants we see along the roads. You may be describing what's called a dry hydrant or what us city boys call a standpipe. You will see these dry pipes on the grounds of most buildings that have a sprinkler system. In those cases we pump water INTO the pipe to feed the system. In a pond, obviously, the pipe is used to draw or draft water from the source.
If that's what is across from your house, it's plenty of water for a single house fire. If there is elevation from the pipe to your house your local fire department should know whether they need to park a pump at the hydrant, pump the pond, then relay pump to the truck higher up the grade. I would guess that's the protocol for rural departments that use hydrants like this.
Hopefully this pipe is tested at least annually and shoveled during the winter.
I posted a picture of what I think you mean.
I would not want to be in a place like the incident in Tuftonboro. If, as said before, the closest hydrant is a mile or even a quarter mile from the house, you have almost no chance of knocking down a house fire. It just takes too much time to lay hose, relay pump, etc. The Tuftonboro response took 13 minutes on a dry, snowless night. They used 1,000 gallons (probably their tank water) and got no advance. 1,000 gallons is about 5 minutes of water, tops. Any house with a water source that far away is an accident waiting to happen. I'd have plenty of smoke detectors if I lived in that situation.
I have an aerator that keeps ice away from my docks. I wondered if homes along the lake with no hydrants used these bubblers to keep an open access of water in case of a fire. That would only work if the home owner informed the department and the dispatchers notified responding companies of this option to draft instead of looking for a different water source.
It's a whole different ball game up here from what I'm used to.
Hope that answers your question.

[wifi]

When I was working for the FD, we were taught the theoretical max lift was 30 feet. That's from the top of the water surface to the pump. Drilling/chain sawing a hole in the ice helps a lot, but you still can't overcome the 30 foot limit. Obviously the practical is much less, depending on pump conditions and how well the seal is on the hoses/hydrant, etc.

This is on draft, drop a submersible in and the rules change. Relay pumping is to overcome the friction loss of the hose, terrain height differences, etc, etc, etc.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

I believe the 30ft rule is still standard but, like I've written before, firefighting up here is completely different tactic wise than in metro Boston. Most firefighters in the big cities look down on volunteers and call guys. Now that I am a country boy I have a bit of respect for them. I still think anybody that would do the job for free is insane. I have 3 sons that will soon be following in my firefighting footsteps.
It's not the same job that it used to be...not in the least. The good old days are long gone.

[Heaven]

Volunteer does not mean free. They get paid.

[GM doc]

Originally Posted by Heaven

Volunteer does not mean free. They get paid.

NOT true. Some towns still have "Volunteer's" THAT do not get paid 1 red cent.

And I think if I remember correctly. 29 feet is the limit. You will NEVER draft water more than that. plus or minus a few inches. 30 feet......NO WAY.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Originally Posted by Heaven

Volunteer does not mean free. They get paid.

If they get a pay check and health insurance every week, that's getting paid. Sitting home and listening to a radio, getting out of bed to risk your life with other less trained firefighters, then getting a few bucks for it is not getting paid.
I'm not putting them down, I respect their roles. I think they should get paid for training and responding. I just think it's a risky thing to do for a couple of dollars. Rural towns depend on them, I now fully respect them for doing a "civic duty". You're also not taking into account the carcinogens they bring home on their bodies to their families after being exposed to the smoke and other things they breath in.
Please tell me what a typical NH volunteer, not call, FF would receive for compensation in a typical month after hours of training and doing live firefighting duties. Please take into account the increase in their health and auto insurance for having such a position.
Let's just pretend they have one fire a month that takes 10 hours of work. I'm curious what being "paid" means. Also, what would Mr. or Mrs. Smith and their children receive for compensation if said FF was killed or permanently injured.
Thanks in advance for any info.