ASPHODEL NORWOOD TANKER SHUTTLE

October 21st, 2006

The Tanker Shuttle exercise is a test by the Fire Underwriters Survey which rates the ability of the Fire Department to maintain water levels in rural areas without direct water access. A Tanker Shuttle will increase the rating of the municipality, depending upon the water pumped. As the rating is increased, the insurnace rates of the residents, and depending on the level of water pumped, the commercial business, could decrease.

Because none of the Fire Department members had ever been involved in such an excerise, much research had to be done. Equipment was inventoried, tuned up and tested in practice runs. Routes were arranged and rearranged, to maximize the number of residents that would benfit from the decreased insurance rates.

The Fire Departments goal was to get 350 gallons per minute or 1,860 litres per minute pumping for 2 hours. Four trucks, 2 Port-a-tanks, 2 pumps, miles of hose, 2 fire hydrants and 25 men were utilized to try to make this possible.

The Fire Department not only reached the goal of 350 gallons per minte, but exceeded it. The final amount pumped was 410 gallons per minute! This meant not only possible reduction in water rates for the residential customers, but for the commercial customers as well.

The exercise was overlooked and recorded by Peter Rose, Fire Protection Specialist of the Fire Underwriters Survey.

Click here to view the letter received from Peter Rose following the Tanker Shuttle Exercise.