Blackpool Fire Rescue and Little Fort Volunteer Fire Department enhanced water storage and fire suppression response program took a big jump forward on Apr. 6, with the delivery of two 10,000 and two 5,000 gallon fire suppression water storage tanks.
Each of the 10,000 gallon tanks will be located in Blackpool and Little Fort at each of the two fire halls as neither have fire hydrants and have been relying upon water tender shuttles for fire suppression support.
One of the 5,000 gallon tanks is to be placed on the east side of the North Thompson River at the Little Fort Ferry slip to aid in fire response, as currently fire trucks have to unload their water to get on the ferry to cross, and then pump water onto the trucks on the other side to attend a fire. The 5,000 gallon tank will make the response to a fire much quicker, just ‘load and go’.
The other 5,000 gallon tank will be located in the Blackpool fire protection area in a high population, intermix settling where water shuttle reload times are longer. This will greatly enhance fire suppression efforts for that zone once the tanks are positioned, loaded and ready for use.
Plans are also being worked on for two additional tanks in key high risk long turn around locations within each community. BC Wildfire has been advised of the new water storage tanks and will have access to them during times of emergency for increased fire suppression response.
Both Blackpool and Little Fort fire departments advise they are committed to enhancing the current water shuttle and fire suppression response in their zones, while noting this program could not of been made possible without the support of key community corporate stakeholders.
Fire departments within the Lower North Thompson can be found in; Barriere, Blackpool, Clearwater, Chu Chua, Little Fort, McLure, Sun Peaks, and Vavenby. Volunteers are welcomed, and appreciated.
___________________
Like us on Facebook