Firefighters need water to fight bush fires, and you can help by joining the Static Water Supply programme. A Static Water Supply (SWS) sign on your property will let firefighters know you have an additional water source that could be used during a fire emergency.
In an emergency situation the option to connect to a hydrant can sometimes be compromised, and fire trucks have a limited supply of water. The main truck used by the Helensburgh Volunteer Fire Brigade holds 3500 litres.
In the event that hydrants fail, firefighters have to look for a static water supply. Examples of suitable water supplies include:
- A property dam, which can be used to refill fire tankers and firefighting aircraft such a helicopters.
- A backyard swimming pool, which provides an ideal static water supply for small portable pumps and hose lines to help protect your home.
- A tank, which with appropriate fittings can also be used to quickly supply water for firefighting.
If you have a pool, tank or dam with 3000+ litre capacity, have a property near bushland and wish to be part of the SWS programme, please contact your local fire brigade to arrange an onsite inspection or visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.
HELENSBURGH LOCAL VOLUNTEERS A WATER TANK
Cassie King from Helensburgh contacted the local brigade. She has lived in the area for 12 years and her house adjoins the bush.
“The first time I ever heard of it was through my mum’s neighbour,” says Cassie.
“They rang me and asked if they could put a SWS sign on my mum’s letterbox. He explained to me what it was, so of course I said yes that’s fine.”
Cassie then took the initiative and volunteered her own large rainwater tank as an “SWS”.
Volunteer firefighters visited Cassie’s property to check if the property is accessible, to make sure the tank was big enough, and that there was a fitting for a hose. Her tank passed the test and she now has the SWS sign displayed under her letterbox.
The water tank at Cassie King’s property. Photo: Iris Huizinga