Fire Fighting exercise at unknown site – Deeside? Circa 1993
The image is from a photograph collection that was originally stored at Kincardine Forest District.
Great image of filling a helicopter water fire bucket by using a portable fabric tank filled initially with one small pump to create the stabilizing collar and then a second to fill and refill the main open topped tank.
Effectiveness of water bombing by helicopter fire bucket could be significantly increased if a suitably deep fill source could be located near to the fire. This was very frequently not possible and the use of these ingenious portable fabric tanks could save the day. They did however require a reasonable source of running water which again was often difficult to locate in dry burning conditions. Can anyone confirm if this is Grampian Fire Service equipment?
Effectiveness of water bombing was also enhanced if teams of fire fighters followed quickly behind any water drop to mop up and kill any remaining glowing embers and flames. However this was almost impossible to do in among burning dense older tree crops.
The PDF link below is of a closer view of the canvas fabric portable tank and also of the suspended fire bucket emptying its contents on an imaginary line of fire.
Download Large Version (801kB)
Groups: Aircraft in Forestry Work, Forestry Areas, Northeast Scotland , Other Vehicles and Machines