Yarrambat Primary School pre-plan test

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Pre-plans are an important brigade responsibility, and contain detailed information about what should happen if a particular situation arises.

Unfortunately, these plans are first put to the test when there's a going job, often in the dark of night.

Operations Officer Gavin Wright took the initiative to facilitate a major test of Yarrambat Fire Brigade's pre-plan for Yarrambat Primary School.

Brigades that would be likely to respond were invited to attend.

The scenario involved classrooms on fire at the rear of the school.

There is a boost point on site attached to a ring main with a number of single head hydrants in cabinets around the school.

Part of the validation of the pre-plans was a test to find out how much assistance the fire service would need to achieve delivery of 2000 litres/min.

OO Gavin Wright was assisted by OO David Maxwell and SO Glen Bosua in command and control roles that encompassed a large area with a diverse range of vehicles.

Attack lines were set up around the school by members of Yarrambat Fire Brigade attached to the millcocks that formed part of the ring main, to determine the capability to deliver water to the scene of the fire.

South Morang brigade pumper set up on the boost point to see how effective boosting the ring main was.

Diamond Creek brigade pumper was connected to a standpipe to boost the supply via a six length twin 64 forward hose lay set up by Doreen Pumper Tanker.

The forward hose lay was connected to Plenty brigade pumper tanker which boosted the flow to South Morang pumper.

With the aid of inline pressure gauges it was possible to determine the volume of water being delivered around the site. Calculations and measurements of pressure and flow were recorded at the various stages of the exercise.

Participants from previous Pumps and Hydraulics Course attended to get a better understanding of what may be required to deliver large volumes of water under the guidance of Station Officer Glen Bosua.

It was determined at the after-action debriefing that it was a very worthwhile exercise that will no doubt be repeated across the Whittlesea Diamond Valley Group at other locations helping brigades test their pre-plans.

Vehicles involved: