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SOG-154Fireground OperationsSOG

Water Supply

Hydrants, tanker shuttle, drafting, and rural supply establishment.

Read before using

This is a template. It is not your department's policy.

Tailboard templates are drafted as generic starting points aligned to national standards. They are nota substitute for your department's own review or for adoption through your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). For topics carrying significant exposure (use of force, medical scope, civil rights), route through qualified counsel before adoption.

Every placeholder marked [BRACKETED] must be completed before adoption. Every section must be reviewed against your department's staffing, apparatus, water supply, EMS scope, geography, and the specific laws of your state. What applies to a career department in a city may not apply to a volunteer department in a rural jurisdiction, and vice versa.

Standards, regulations, and best practices are updated regularly. Verify the current edition of every standard cited before adopting this document. Once adopted, this document becomes your department's responsibility — not Tailboard's.

Want this tailored to your department?

Open it in the Policy Builder. Answer a few questions about your staffing, apparatus, and conditions — we'll adapt every section to match.

Number

SOG-154

Version

1.0

Last reviewed

2026-01-01

Next review

2027-01-01

Summary

This guideline governs how [DEPARTMENT NAME] establishes and maintains water supply at structural fires — from hydrant operations in urban areas to tanker shuttle and drafting operations in rural districts. Sufficient water at the right pressure, at the right time, is the precondition of every other fireground tactic.

Definitions

Continuous Water Supply
An established supply that can sustain the required flow for the duration of the incident, without depletion.
Tanker Shuttle / Tender Shuttle
A cycle in which tankers move water from a fill site to a dump site at the scene, typically feeding a portable tank that supplies the attack engine.
Drafting
Drawing water from a static source (pond, stream, cistern, swimming pool) via hard suction to supply apparatus.
Porta-Tank / Folding Tank
A fabric or rigid tank placed at the dump site during tanker shuttle operations to buffer water flow.

Purpose

To establish adequate, sustainable water supply at every structural fire, using the most effective method available for local conditions.

Scope

Applies to all structural fires and other incidents requiring sustained water supply. Covers hydrant, tanker shuttle, and drafting operations.

Selecting the Supply Method

  • Hydrant first if hydrants are available within reasonable hose lay distance.
  • Tanker shuttle if hydrants are unavailable or too distant and water sources permit.
  • Drafting from static source if tanker shuttle is impractical and a suitable source is within reach.
  • Combination methods (e.g., hydrant + tanker relay) when the closest hydrant is distant.

Hydrant Operations

  1. First-arriving engine may forward-lay from a hydrant or back-lay depending on staffing and layout.
  2. If staffing permits, leave a member at the hydrant to open it and manage flow; otherwise have a second-arriving unit handle hydrant operations.
  3. Confirm adequate residual pressure; if the hydrant is weak, establish a supplemental source.
  4. Report hydrant location, flow, and layout to Command.

Tanker / Tender Shuttle

  • Designate a Water Supply Officer for operations involving multiple tankers.
  • Identify fill sites (hydrants, dry hydrants, static sources) and dump sites (near attack engine).
  • Deploy a porta-tank at the dump site sized for sustained flow.
  • Track tanker cycle time (fill + travel + dump + travel) and stagger tankers to maintain continuous supply.
  • Use designated fill-site pump operators to speed turnaround.

Drafting

  • Use pre-identified drafting sites when possible — dry hydrants, cisterns, accessible ponds.
  • Verify minimum depth (typically 24 inches for 6-inch hard suction) and strain to avoid debris.
  • Prime the pump per the manufacturer's procedure.
  • Drafting rate is limited by the source and the suction hose length; plan accordingly.

Pre-Incident Planning

For any district with limited water supply, develop pre-incident water plans for high-hazard occupancies. Include: hydrants, dry hydrants, static sources, historic flow-test data, and tanker resources available on first alarm.

Responsibilities

Incident Commander

  • Ensure water supply is established early in the incident.
  • Assign a Water Supply Officer at any incident involving more than one supply source.
  • Confirm adequate flow before committing interior crews.

Water Supply Officer

  • Manage hydrant, shuttle, or drafting operations.
  • Coordinate fill-site and dump-site activities.
  • Report flow, sources, and changes to Command.

Drivers / Pump Operators

  • Maintain supply operations per their assignment.
  • Report mechanical issues, pressure problems, or supply depletion.

Training Requirements

  • All drivers: hydrant, drafting, and relay-pumping proficiency annually.
  • Tanker-shuttle drills at least annually in rural districts.
  • Water Supply Officer training for officers and senior drivers.

References

  • NFPA 1142Standard on Water Supplies for Suburban and Rural Fire Fighting
  • NFPA 1901Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus (tanker / tender specifications)
  • NFPA 1002Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications

Adapt this template

Before this template becomes your department's policy, review the following items and adjust accordingly. Anything else that does not match your operation should be updated as well.

  • Include a department-specific water supply map (hydrants, dry hydrants, static sources) as an attachment.
  • If your department relies on automatic aid for tanker support, document the agreement and expected arrival.
  • Cross-reference Apparatus & Equipment SOGs for pump operation.

Adoption signature

Adopted by (Name, Rank)
Signature
Effective date
Next scheduled review

Before adoption checklist

  • ☐Replace [DEPARTMENT NAME] throughout the document.
  • ☐Complete every [BRACKETED] placeholder.
  • ☐Confirm the current edition of every cited standard.
  • ☐Check against your state statutes and state fire marshal rules.
  • ☐Route for chief review. Topics with significant exposure (use of force, medical scope) also go through qualified counsel.
  • ☐Confirm alignment with any mutual-aid agreements.
  • ☐Schedule a training plan for the new policy before effective date.
  • ☐Announce adoption in writing to all members. Archive the prior version.
  • ☐Set the next review date — annually at minimum.