The evening of Wednesday August 29th, despite the very warm and humid conditions approximately 20 members of East Brandywine Fire Company traveled to North Brandywine Middle School to conduct a water supply drill with some of our mutual aid companies.

Those companies included Glen Moore, Lionville, Thorndale and West Bradford Fire Companies. Members simulated a working fire where no hydrants were located, and a tanker task force would be needed.

Two porta tanks were placed and Engine 38 (Thorndale) used the water in those tanks to supply Ladder 49 who was flowing water from the aerial, a blitzfire portable monitor and a 1 ¾ handline. With this being a tanker operation the only water available was from the tankers on scene. Once the tankers dumped their water into the porta tanks they would then proceed to a hydrant further away to re-fill and then repeat the process. Allowing the scene to have a constant flow of water.

There are several areas in East Brandywine, West Brandywine, and Upper Uwchlan Townships given their more rural location which do not have hydrants. That is why training like this is essential for everyone to make sure they are all on the same page and can get water to the scene as quickly as possible.