INTRODUCTION

The heavily populated eastern hills of San Francisco Bay present significant and complex fire protection problems. Wide area wildfires such as the "Oakland Firestorm" of 1991 are an annual threat that can easily outstrip local water supplies. A major earthquake has the potential to start fires and at the same time disrupt water service infrastructure. To meet these hazards, the Oakland Fire Department designed and built Portable Water Supply System (PWSS) vehicles and placed them strategically around the city.

THE CONCEPT

The basic idea behind the PWSS was to provide a means to provide long lays of large diameter hose with the added capability of being able to place portable hydrants at appropriate intervals and providing sufficient hose bridges to maintain emergency access into and egress from affected areas. Due to the steep terrain in various parts of Oakland, a system capable of withstanding greater than ordinary pressures was needed. (A mile long hose lay may undergo over 400 feet of elevation difference generating nearly 200 psi over pump pressure due to head.) The PWSS is the physical product of this concept and can be used to transport significant volumes of water over long distances to emergency areas with disrupted water supplies.

Side View

THE APPARATUS

Equipment carried includes: 1 mile of 5" hose w/ 4½" couplings 5) Portable hydrants (4½" x 3½" side outlets) 6) Gleeson valves 1) 4½" line gate 4) 3" to 4½" clapper siamese 12 sets LDH hose bridges Large capacity (6-inlet) deck pipe Assorted increasers, reducers & gender changers Assorted short hose "pigtails"

Rear View

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