Policy: 02-02-07
Provisions for Emergency Water Supply in Fire Stations

Issued By:Communications


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Purpose
To provide a guideline for establishing emergency water supply in fire stations.


Background
In order to maintain operational status in event of a long term loss of water to any fire station, the SJRFD will adopt the following procedure/s to secure an alternate source of potable and non-potable water. This replaces POG #02-02-07, “Provisions for Emergency Water Supply in Fire Stations” dated 2013/04/03.


Policy Statement
Water Loss without Warning (Water Main Break)

1. The on duty Platoon Chief shall be notified immediately and will in turn notify 311 and the Deputy Chief on call who will initiate actions to have water in/at the affected Station(s) through the following protocol.

a. During normal business hours, arrangements shall be made with the FEMT or FEPT to transport the Emergency Water Supply kit to the affected station.

b. After hours or on weekends the on duty Platoon Chief shall make arrangements to have the Emergency Water Supply Kit transported to the affected station..

2. Designated water containers marked “potable water” shall be cleaned and filled from an accessible municipal water supply nearest to the affected station, covered appropriately and delivered in order of operational priority.

3. Designated non-potable water containers shall be cleaned at the nearest accessible municipal water supply, and transferred in order of priority dependent on operational requirements by either FET, Tact 1 or any other available SJRFD vehicle. Once in place, operations will commence to transfer water to that static supply. It may be necessary to make several trips and under no circumstances shall engines be used to do so.

4. Non-potable water is to be used to refill flush tanks, and supply water for personal hygiene. It may be necessary to maintain a quantity of heated water throughout the event.

5. Officers in Charge (OIC) shall ensure the levels of both potable and non-potable water is monitored and replenished as necessary until the municipal supply has been maintained.

6. Once the municipal water supply has been re-established, the station OIC shall ensure the Emergency Water Kit is emptied; all parts accounted for, cleaned and dried completely before arrangements are made to send it back to Supply.


Scheduled Water Loss due to Municipal Repairs or Maintenance.

7. The Deputy Chief on call shall inform the duty Shift Superintendent of the expected time of loss and extent of interruption.

8. The Shift Superintendent shall make arrangements for the FET or A/FET to have the Emergency Water Kit made available for transport prior to the interruption. All parts to be included in the transfer will be inspected and cleaned prior to leaving Supply.

9. The kit shall be assembled at the targeted station and arrangements made to have both potable and non-potable water in place in a timely manner to reduce the effects of the interruption.


Miscellaneous.

10. Potable water can be dispensed by using the supplied water dispensers or coolers.

11. Flush tanks can be re-filled with the smaller buckets, or toilets flushed manually.

12. Water for personal hygiene can be heated in kitchens before use.

13. Personnel requiring showers or more elaborate measures than general personal hygiene will be scheduled to travel to another station for that purpose as organized by the duty Shift Superintendent.

14. SJRFD supplied containers, equipment and municipally available water will be the only implements used for emergency water situations, with the obvious exception of water which employees choose to bring from home. The SJRFD will not purchase bulk water for these situations.

15. No vessels or containers which may have been used at an emergency scene will be used for the transfer of, or containment of, water for personnel use.


NOTE
All Operational Guidelines are provided as a guideline only and may be altered by the OIC to meet extenuating circumstances.


Approvals
The Director/Chief of SJRFD


Responsibility
St. John's Regional Fire Department POG # 02-02-07 Approved By: ___________________________ Sherry L. Colford Fire Chief Director of Regional Fire and Emergency Services


Appendix/Appendices
None


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