One of the important features to consider when designing a water supply pumper for a rural response area is the ability for the rig to travel off-road to access water sources that a traditional pumper cannot. Generally, this ability requires some type of all-wheel drive feature and reasonably good ground clearance. The folks at the Jarrettsville VFC in Harford County, MD operate Supply 781, a short-wheel base, 1500 gpm pumper that carries plenty of LDH, suction hose, and appliances to support all types of rural water supply scenarios. In the photos shown in this news story, Supply 781 dropped an a LDH appliance at the entrance to the pasture and then drove to the pond, drafted, and supplied water back so that tankers could be loaded at 1,000+ gpm.

The success of this operation was due to the design of the water supply pumper and its crew's execution of the set-up. Supply 781 is a 2000 4-Guys pumper built on an International chassis and equipped with a 1,500 gpm pump - plus all the water supply tools, hose, and appliances to go with it. The pumper can draft from all four sides.