This past Sunday, fire department personnel from Auburn, New Hampshire and neighboring communities participated in a two-hour water-hauling exercise using tankers. This drill was the final component of a 16-hour Rural Water Supply Operations Seminar, which focused on effective methods for transporting and supplying water in rural settings.
The seminar was sponsored by the Auburn and Chester Fire Departments and took place at the Auburn Fire Department’s Main Station. The training exercise began with units conducting a rural hitch operation for approximately 28 minutes before transitioning to a two-dump tank setup. The operation involved nine tankers, three pumpers, and two separate water supply locations—a pond and a fire hydrant.
During the event, crews achieved a peak water flow rate of 850 gallons per minute, and the rural hitch was executed successfully. Instructors Mark Davis and Alan Butsch led the seminar for the weekend. The Auburn and Chester Fire Departments provided organizational and logistical support for the seminar.
Units:
Auburn Engine 2, Auburn Tanker 1, Auburn Tanker 2, Derry Engine 4, Candia Tank 1, Hooksett Engine 5, Londonderry Tanker 1, Bedford Engine 3, Chester Tank 1, Litchfield Engine 4, Sandown Tank 1, and Raymond Tank 1.
Crews operate a three-dump tank operation that eventually was reduced to two dump tanks for more efficiency.
