1. Water Supply
Skill Drills

2. Objectives Operate a fire hydrant. Shut down a fire hydrant.15
Objectives
Operate a fire hydrant.
Shut down a fire hydrant.
Unload and assemble a portable water tank.

3. Skill Drill 15-1 Operating a Fire Hydrant
Step 1: Remove the cap from the outlet you will be using.
Step 2: Quickly look inside the hydrant opening for foreign objects. (Dry-barrel hydrant only.)

4. Skill Drill 15-1 Operating a Fire Hydrant
Step 3: Check to ensure that the remaining caps are snugly attached. (Dry-barrel hydrant only.)
Step 2: Attach the hydrant wrench to the stem nut. Check for an arrow indicating the direction to turn to open.

5. Skill Drill 15-1 Operating a Fire Hydrant
Step 5: Open the hydrant enough to verify flow and flush hydrant. (Dry-barrel hydrant only.)
Step 6: Shut off the flow of water. (Dry-barrel hydrant only.)

6. Skill Drill 15-1 Operating a Fire Hydrant
Step 7: Attach hose or valve to the hydrant outlet(s).
Step 8: When instructed, turn the hydrant wrench to fully open the valve.

7. Skill Drill 15-1 Operating a Fire Hydrant
Step 9: Open slowly to avoid pressure surge.

8. Skill Drill 15-2 Shutting Down a Hydrant
Step 1: Turn the wrench to slowly close the hydrant valve.
Step 2: Drain the hose line. Slowly disconnect the hose from the hydrant outlet.

9. Skill Drill 15-2 Shutting Down a Hydrant
Step 3: Leave one hydrant outlet open until the hydrant is fully drained.
Step 4: Replace the hydrant cap.

10. Skill Drill 15-3 Setting Up a Portable Tank
Two fire fighters lift the portable tank off the apparatus. The tank may be mounted on a side rack, or on a hydraulic rack that lowers it to the ground.
Place the portable tank on level ground beside the engine. The pump operator will indicate the best location.

11. Skill Drill 15-3 Setting Up a Portable Tank
Expand the tank (metal-frame type) or lay it flat (self-expanding type).
One fire fighter helps the pump operator place the strainer on the end of the suction hose, put the suction hose into the tank, and connect it to the engine.

12. Skill Drill 15-3 Setting Up a Portable Tank
The other fire fighter helps the tanker driver discharge water into the portable tank. If the tank is self-expanding, the fire fighters may need to hold the collar until the water level is high enough for the tank to support itself.