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Water Delivery Support Unit: It's for the Big One

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Paul Shapiro

Paul Shapiro specializes in the research, development and training of large flow water delivery systems and fire stream management. His extensive research and outcomes of large diameter hose has been published frequently in fire service trade magazines. Paul has made significant contribution to fire response efficiency with his application-based research of large caliber fire streams working with handline and master stream operations. Paul has been involved with the fire service since 1981, and is serving Las Vegas as an Engineer with the City of Las Vegas Fire & Rescue. In March of 2007 his department gave him the Engineer of the Year award for 2006. He is a certified Fire Instructor III for the State of Nevada, has served on the faculty of many Fire Academies throughout the United States, and was named Instructor of the Year, 1999, by the Colorado Fire Academy. Paul is recognized nationally as an expert in his field, and is also the author of the popular book, Layin’ the Big Lines as well as the producer of the video, Large Flow Water Delivery.

More articles from this author:

• Master Stream Operations: Bringing In the Big Guns
• The Front Bumper Donut Roll Load
• Relay Pump Operations: Who Says It's Just for the Long Lay?

This article features an older engine that was converted from a standard pumper to a big flow support unit. It purchased for $10,000 and went from there. The total investment turned out to be a little less than ¼ of what a new unit would have cost. The unit used for this project is a 1985 American La France.

The following list shows how it is designed and equipped as it relates to this project before the transformation to super pumper.

Engine: L-10 Cummins Diesel

Pump: American La France Twin Flow Two Stage 1250 GPM Pump

Intakes: Two 6" side intakes, one on each side of the pump

Discharges: Six 2-1/2"

Booster tank: 500 gallons

Hosebed: Dimensions 6’ wide 8’ long 3’high

This unit was purchased with no equipment. Before we get into the actual specifications of the W.D.S. unit let’s see what its capabilities are.

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Purpose

The purpose of the W.D.S. unit is to provide support in the following fireground water delivery operations.

- A rapid deployment for supplemental large volume water delivery from distant water sources to fires requiring large volumes of water
- Provide a means for delivering multiple streams on the fireground or one 2,000 GPM stream from a fixed monitor

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