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SOG 2-04 WATER TENDER TASK FORCE I. Purpose and Intent

A. The Camden County Tender Task Force is a task specific group that was created to deliver a constant water supply in areas of the county that do not have hydrant coverage or when a hydrant system is unusable. The Tender Task Force is designed to operate as a unit to develop a water supply, deliver it to the incident and supply units operating on scene. While it is understood that some of these roles may have been filled prior to the arrival of the Tender Task Force, once the Task Force has been requested and has arrived on scene, these responsibilities will be delegated to the Task Force Leader.

II. Standard Operating Guideline

A. Leadership Positions

1. Task Force Leader – The Task Force Leader is an IMS/NIMS recognized position as the person in charge of the Task Force. The Task Force Leader will receive direction from the Incident Commander and direct the resources of the Task Force in kind in order to meet the mission. All resources in the Task Force will recognize the Task Force Leader as the person in charge of the Task Force regardless of what individual fire department they are from.

2. Pond Officer – The Pond Officer will be the person responsible to run the

dump tank operation. This officer will supervise the placement and set up of the ponds and work with the Pond Safety Officer to insure safe dumping operations. The Pond Officer will be designated by the Tender Task Force Leader or the Incident Commander if appropriate.

3. Water Source Officer - The Water Source Officer will supervise the fill

site(s) for the tankers. This officer will insure that the engines at draft or on a hydrant have the proper fill lines established and that the sites maintain a constant flow of traffic to insure a rapid turnaround for the shuttle apparatus.

SECTION RESPONSE EFFECTIVE REVISED 11-6-14

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B. Apparatus

1. Tankers/Tenders – In order to become compliant with NIMS, an apparatus that has a tank larger then 1000 gallons and is used to shuttle water will be designated as a tender. The current Camden County terminology is tanker and this will need to change with this procedure. Tenders will be assigned to move water between the fill sites and the dump site. In the event that a nurse tender is being used, the shuttle tenders will fill the nurse tender as needed.

a. Engines – Engines will be used in several capacities in the Task Force.

An engine will be assigned to each fill point to supply tenders. The specific setup for a fill point will be outlined in a separate part of this procedure. Two engines will be assigned to the dump tank (portable ponds) site. Engines may also be used to supplement the shuttle by moving water between the fill site and the nurse tender or dump tank site.

C. Incident Operations

1. Nurse Tenders - Nurse tenders will be used when the incident commander

has determined that the portable ponds are not necessary to supply the incident. The nurse tenders will be set up in a position where incoming shuttle apparatus can refill it without interfering with fireground operations. The nurse tenders will hook up to a supply line that will be feeding the apparatus being used to conduct the firefight. The nurse tender will set out fill lines for the incoming shuttle apparatus so it can be filled at the same time the nurse tender is supplying the fireground.

For most incidents the nurse tender will be set up during the initial stages of the fire. A nurse tender may be used while the portable ponds are being set up so as to insure a constant water supply. If the ponds are being used and the nurse tender has given its contents to the fireground, additional tenders will be used to fill the ponds when they are set up.

2. Pond Operations – When the incident commander has determined that a significant amount of water will be needed to conduct firefighting operations, the Task Force Leader will direct personnel to set the ponds up under the direction of the Pond Officer. Every attempt will be made to use three portable ponds in a configuration that will allow two tenders to dump at the same time. The ponds should also be set in a manner that will allow for a one way flow of traffic by the shuttle apparatus. The specific set up locations of the ponds will be determined by the Pond Officer after reviewing the fireground. The Pond Officer needs to keep in consideration that in addition to the three ponds, two engines will also be at the pond location. The location of the ponds shall not impede access to the fireground by additional apparatus.

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The pond operation will be assigned two engines one of which shall be a 1500GPM. The second engine should be no less then 1250GPM. The 1500GPM engine will be assigned as the primary supply engine to the fireground. This engine will draft from the supply pond and send water to the fireground. The second engine will be used to circulate water between the transfer ponds and the supply pond. The second engine can be used as a backup in the event the primary supply engine fails for any reason.

When pond operations are needed, the first due tanker with a portable pond should drop off the pond and all loose equipment and its personnel shall help set up the pond. It also might be necessary for the second and third tanker to do the same. Once the ponds are set up, tankers can start unloading by using their dump valves. After unloading in the pond, the tanker will then proceed to the designated refill point(s). a. Supply Engine

1. The supply engine will have at least a 1500GPM pump and carry a

low level strainer (pond sucker). This engine will draft out of the main supply pond by either the front or side suction. When a large amount of water is needed, both suctions will be used.

2. When connecting to the supply line, a clapper valve (3 to 1) must be used to connect to the supply line that was laid to the scene.

3. This engine will remain on the same channel as the fire operation.

b. Transfer Engine

1. The transfer engine will have a least a 1250GPM pump. 2. This engine will draft from the main pond while moving water

from the transfer ponds to the main pond. This will de done using a jet transfer fitting connected to a section of hard suction and two 1 ½” or 1 ¾” hand lines.

3. The hard suctions are placed between the transfer pond (s) and the supply pond with the jet transfer fitting in the transfer pond (s). The hard suctions will be tied down to eliminate fluctuations in the hose.

4. When a tanker is unloading, this is the pond that you will be transferring water out of to the supply pond. This will help eliminate a tanker backup at the pond operation

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D. Refill Points

1. It is extremely important that refill points be established immediately. The IC should determine the initial points since they may be needed prior to the arrival of the full Tender Task Force. The Water Source Officer will be responsible for the refill points.

a. Refill Engine Draft Site:

1. The refill engine will have at least a 1250GPM pump. 2. The engine is required to have at least 30’ of hard suction. 3. Enough sections should be used to allow for dropping water levels

over the length of the operation. 4. This engine is also required to have at least 400’ of either 3” or 2

1/2” or a combination of each and a floating dock. 5. Two lines will be stretched to the front of the engine and two to the

rear. 6. Once the water supply has been established the Tender Task Force

Leader shall be notified. 7. When refilling has started, the crew of the engine will make all

connections to the tenders. The tanker driver and/or officer shall remain in the tanker.

8. The refill engine should be prepared to fill at least two tenders at the same time.

b. Refill Engine with a Manifold

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1. In some cases it might be necessary for the refill point to be off the roadway or a distance from the loop.

2. Drop the manifold with 300’ of 3” or 2 ½” hose and 100’ of LDH. Hook up 2 50’ sections and two 100’ sections to four different discharges of the manifold and the LDH to the LDH fitting. Leave a crewmember with the manifold with a portable radio.

3. Lay a LDH line from the manifold into the draft point. Supply the manifold by connecting directly to a LDH discharge or by using a clapper valve.

4. Once the refill engine establishes a water supply, that engine will communicate with the crewmember at the manifold to send the water and bleed off the air from the LDH.

c. Refill Engine at a hydrant

1. When a refill engine is at a hydrant, the engine company shall

“dress” the hydrant to insure maximum output. The engine shall connect to the steamer and with a large diameter line and use either 2 ½” or 3” line to connect to the side hydrant discharges.

2. The refill engine will set out their fill lines in the same manner as stipulated when at draft.

The Tender Task Force Leader will determine if multiple refill points are needed. The Task Force Leader will also develop a traffic plan and route to these points. This information will be communicated to all Task Force units when they drop their water at the fireground. In the event that multiple refill points are established, the Water Source Officer will work with the Task Force Leader to insure the workload is balanced between the points. Various factors may lead to backups, so the Task Force Leader must be in communication with all the refill points to have current information. E. Dispatching Guidelines

1. The Camden County Tender Task Force will be dispatched according to Camden County Communications dispatch policy.

F. Radio Guidelines

1. Radio traffic must be kept to an absolute minimum. Once the Tender

Task Force has been dispatched, all units will operate on the South Jersey Net frequency with the exception of the primary supply engine which will remain on the fire frequency. If individual Task Force units are already on scene prior to the activation of the Task Force, they will be instructed to switch their radio over once the Tender Task Force Leader assumes control of the Task Force

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2. Camden County Communications will announce for all companies to

operate on South Jersey Net when the Task Force is dispatched.

G. Safety Guidelines

1. The Tender Task Force Leader is responsible to insure the safety of all personnel involved in the tender operations.

2. There will be a separate Safety Officer assigned to the portable pond

site to supervise the tender dumping operations. The Safety Officer will direct the tenders to the site. The tender driver’s will take direction from the Safety Officer. No one else at the portable pond site will give directions to the tender drivers.

3. Every attempt will be made to provide adequate lighting at both the

portable pond site and the refill points. All apparatus operating at either site and participating in the shuttle will display their visual warning devices. All personnel operating will have the appropriate level of personal protective equipment on as designated by the Incident Commander or the Tender Task Force Leader. At a minimum, reflective clothing or vests will be worn during nighttime operations.

4. The Task Force Leader will make every attempt to have traffic control

provided at the pond site, the refill site(s) and along the shuttle route. This may be done by local law enforcement or fire police as needed.

5. All personnel operating in the Tender Task Force will adhere to the

accountability system as established by the incident commander. The Task Force will establish a record of who is operating on scene by the use of T cards.

6. When the Task Force is dispatched, (in county or out of county),

personnel from the Camden County Communications Center will also respond. Communications personnel may be used to assist in the tracking of personnel and apparatus.

7. When necessary, personnel at the portable pond site should be prepared

to don SCBA if smoke conditions warrant.

H. Equipment

1. The following equipment is recommended for this operation: a. Tenders:

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i. 4 1/2" NST hydrant adaptor. ii. Rear Dump with an 8" minimum discharge. iii. Side Dumps iv. Portable Pond (minimum of 2500 gal.). v. Number signs for portable ponds ex. 1, 2, and 3. vi. Vests with WATER SUPPLY and Portable Pond Officer. vii. 6" Low Level Strainer viii. Jet Transfer Fitting (s) ix. Wheel Chocks x. Safety Cones

b. Engines:

i. Adaptors to 4 1/2", 5", and 6". ii. 400.of 2 ½”or 3" hose. iii. Hard Suction (30') iv. Floating Dock v. Manifold w/4 discharges vi. Wheel Chocks vii. Safety Cones

2. Companies dropping ponds should place all loose equipment inside

their pond.

3. All equipment should have the company's name or identifying number on it.

I. Terminology Guidelines

Portable Pond(s): Portable reservoirs, (of at least 2500 gal.) and are used when a full-scale operation is needed. Incoming tenders unload their water through dump valves. This water is then sent to the fire ground by either a supply engine or to a nurse tender then sent to the fire ground.

Refill Engine: Engine with at least a 1250 gpm pump to draft or hookup to a water supply to fill tenders.

Refill Point: The location where tenders are sent when they are empty to refill. This water supply can be from drafting out of lakes, streams, ponds, dry

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hydrants, municipal hydrants, or basically from any water source available.

Supply Engine: Engine of at least 1500GPM to draft out of the portable ponds to supply the fire grounds.

Supply Pond: This is the main portable pond that a supply engine drafts from to supply the fire grounds.

Nurse Tender: Tender with a pump size no smaller then 1000GPM. This tender is used when a full-scale operation is not needed. Incoming tenders unload their water through discharge lines that hook--up directly to the supply tenders rear intakes.

Tender: An apparatus capable of holding at least 2500 gallons of water.

Transfer Engine: An engine of 1250GPM or more to transfer water from the transfer pond(s) to the supply pond.

Transfer Pond: Ponds where tankers unload their water. These ponds supply the supply pond.