How can firefighters fight major blazes amid water shortages?

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The massive fire at Superior Auto Parts Hagley Park Road has highlighted a potentially serious vulnerability in Jamaica’s emergency response system: what happens when firefighters need large volumes of water during a severe dry spell or period of water restrictions.

As firefighters battled the blaze, the incident showed how dependent emergency responders are on a reliable, sustained water supply.

Fire engines carry a limited amount of water, but major commercial fires can require thousands of gallons over several hours. In these circumstances, firefighters must rely heavily on hydrants, water tankers and other external sources.

With several communities facing water restrictions because of the current dry conditions, questions are now emerging about whether the firefighting infrastructure is sufficiently prepared, should another major blaze occur in an area experiencing reduced supply.

Hydrants are critical in this, but they must be operational, connected to a functioning water main, and capable of delivering sufficient pressure and volume.

This raises important questions for both the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) and the National Water Commission (NWC). When communities are placed under water restrictions or scheduled lock-offs, are hydrants in those areas affected? Does the JFB know which hydrants are operational before crews arrive at an emergency? Can the NWC quickly restore or redirect water to an area when firefighters need it?

The Superior Auto Parts fire provides an opportunity to examine those arrangements in practice. Authorities should establish whether nearby hydrants were used, whether they provided adequate pressure, and whether firefighters had to depend on tankers or alternative water sources.

There is no indication, without confirmation from the authorities, that water availability hampered the response to the Hagley Park Road blaze. However, its scale highlights the importance of being prepared.

The issue also raises broader questions about the condition of the hydrant network: How many hydrants are operational? How frequently are they tested? How many are defective? and, How quickly are faults addressed?

For firefighters, arriving at a major blaze only to find inadequate water pressure could mean valuable time spent locating another source while flames continue to spread.

Firefighters already face intense heat, toxic smoke, explosions and collapsing structures while protecting lives and property. They should not also have to wonder whether water will flow from the hydrant when they need it most.

DANE SMITH