Hauling Water - New Hampshire Seacoast Style

 
By President Mark Davis
October 8, 2026
 

On Sunday afternoon, October 4, more than thirty members of the Stratham Fire Department and other nearby departments participated in a water hauling exercise. Using tankers, the folks maintained water flow for just under two hours, reaching a peak flow rate of 750 gallons per minute. The operation was supported by three engines, six tankers, and two water fill sites. Both fill sites were ponds, requiring tankers to make round trips of approximately four and six miles.

One challenge during the drill was navigating regular traffic on a pleasant October afternoon in New Hampshire. As a result, tankers were slowed on their routes, limiting the number that could be part of the shuttle at one time and capping the water flow at 750 gallons per minute. Despite this, the crews successfully maintained the operation with the resources available.

The seminar was sponsored and hosted by the Stratham Fire Department. This marked the fourth seminar held in Stratham since 2014, with excellent hospitality and logistical support as always. Instructors for the weekend were Mark Davis and Tim Legore.

 
Units: Stratham Engine 1 (1500 gpm/1200gal), Stratham Tanker 8 (2000 gpm/3000 gal), Hampton Falls Engine 8 (1500 gpm/1000 gal), Hampton Falls Tanker 4 (1250 gpm/2500 gal), Newfields Engine 3 (1500 gpm/2250 gal), Newfields Engine 4 (1500 gpm/1000 gal), Kennebunk Tanker 22 (750 gpm,/1800 gal), and Greenland Tanker 1 (1250 gpm/3000 gal).