Annual Rite Of Fall "Pump Tests"
 
By Public Information Officer Douglas Medley
September 13, 2014
 

Could it be possible? Another year gone by and it’s time for us to make our way down to the old fishing hole for our annual pump tests. At least this time Dr. Fairfax, our water supply officer, let us do it in the fall of the year. No arguments from any of us on that decision. So we all gathered at our favorite café Linda’s for a hearty breakfast before loading up all the equipment needed for the testing.

When we arrived at the pond it was a pleasant surprise to see that the Sanner’s Pond Association had cut down all the brush around the area that we use so all we had to do was pull up, hook up and we were good to go. We had several new pump operators along with us this morning and they all got the opportunity to see just what was involved in setting up for a drafting operation. Now, I know some of you firefighters are saying you could go your whole career and never do a drafting operation but I would say to you just hope you never have to cause when you need that kind of water you have a big fire and the chief officer in charge will shortly be calling you and asking where is the water. You better have a good answer.

So after we got everything hooked up and ready to go we had no problems with any of the pumpers getting a draft and flowing the required volume of water for the required time. Now I’m not going to say it’s not pretty boring while you are sitting around waiting for the hours to go by so we amuse ourselves by doing what firemen do playing jokes on one another. Ask our mechanic Jimmy Barnes or when our Captain Peter Marshall dropped the hard sleeve (tube that sucks the water out of the pond) into the pond and had to wade in to retrieve it. Now that was a pretty sight.

So after about 3 hours we were done for this Saturday and will finish up next Saturday. A special thanks for all that came out and gave up their day off to lend a hand as firefighters always do. If anybody would like to come down and check it out give us a call and we will be glad to take you along. The reason being you can’t just drive in because they have one of those gates where you have to swipe a pass for it to open.

With our drill schedule set up for the next few months I hope to be able to bring you stories about your volunteers of Bay District to show you just how they train to better protect the citizens of the 8th district and St. Mary’s County.

I want to thank Associate Jamie Olson for taking all the pictures. I just can't get around much but I do want to show what our people are doing.
 
Units: Engine 31 - Engine 93
 
Gail Kropp and Jamie Olson two gals who are associates and always available to provide rehab for the guys.
Gail Kropp and Jamie Olson two gals who are associates and always available to provide rehab for the guys.
Jimmy Barnes hauling the hard sleeve to hook up. Look at our deputy chief Mark Warren helping out. Notice his hand just touching the sleeve. LOL
Jimmy Barnes hauling the hard sleeve to hook up. Look at our deputy chief Mark Warren helping out. Notice his hand just touching the sleeve. LOL
 
Our trusty treasuer Bruce Theden waiting for a hook up.
Our trusty treasuer Bruce Theden waiting for a hook up.
Make sure that line is straight.
Make sure that line is straight.
 
Jimmy Barnes saying "Let's see where does this thing go".
Jimmy Barnes saying "Let's see where does this thing go".
Watch as Jimmy Barnes almost falls on his butt and look at the next picture.
Watch as Jimmy Barnes almost falls on his butt and look at the next picture.
 
This is what tripped him. A very small root...
This is what tripped him. A very small root...
Captain Peter Marshall and Firefigher Kevin Jasey hooking up the lines.
Captain Peter Marshall and Firefigher Kevin Jasey hooking up the lines.
 
This is the overall supervisor doing nothing. It's Me....
This is the overall supervisor doing nothing. It's Me....
Little Nick Martonni with a pike pole trying to spear some fish.
Little Nick Martonni with a pike pole trying to spear some fish.
 
Les Hansen trying to explain to deputy chief Warren just what we are doing. He got the clipboard to look important.
Les Hansen trying to explain to deputy chief Warren just what we are doing. He got the clipboard to look important.
Little Nick hooking up the big gun.
Little Nick hooking up the big gun.
 
Just a picture of some of the guys doing stuff.
Just a picture of some of the guys doing stuff.
Captain Burroughs working with Bruce to hook up the strainer while Peter Marshall looks on with his hand in his pockets.
Captain Burroughs working with Bruce to hook up the strainer while Peter Marshall looks on with his hand in his pockets.
 
Getting ready to throw it in the water.
Getting ready to throw it in the water.
Almost
Almost
 
Man them things are heavy./
Man them things are heavy./
Even Les helped out.
Even Les helped out.
 
Here we go.
Here we go.
Think we got it.
Think we got it.
 
Now if we can just get it hooked up to the fire truck.
Now if we can just get it hooked up to the fire truck.
Peter Marshall holding on to the rope while Kevin watches. Don' fall in Peter.
Peter Marshall holding on to the rope while Kevin watches. Don' fall in Peter.
 
There he is. Dr. Fairfax our water supply officer making sure we got it right. I mean they got it right.
There he is. Dr. Fairfax our water supply officer making sure we got it right. I mean they got it right.
There I am folks, plumb worn out. Had to sit down again with Gail.
There I am folks, plumb worn out. Had to sit down again with Gail.
 
Captain Burroughs quick stepping to the pond.
Captain Burroughs quick stepping to the pond.
One more bush in the way so Peter got out the chain saw to take care of it.
One more bush in the way so Peter got out the chain saw to take care of it.
 
Gee Peter it's a small bush man.
Gee Peter it's a small bush man.
I think he got it.
I think he got it.
 
Deputy chief Warren heading for the rehab. He did that alot that morning.
Deputy chief Warren heading for the rehab. He did that alot that morning.
Little Nick making sure the lines are straight.
Little Nick making sure the lines are straight.
 
You know how there are always plenty looking on but only one doing the work. Need I say more.
You know how there are always plenty looking on but only one doing the work. Need I say more.
Guess Peter needed to make sure it was right and Les making sure Peter had it right.
Guess Peter needed to make sure it was right and Les making sure Peter had it right.
 
Mr. Bruce saying where is the water while Mr. Barnes looks important with my clipboard.
Mr. Bruce saying where is the water while Mr. Barnes looks important with my clipboard.
Alright now. Let's make it happen. Sure have enough people there to do it.
Alright now. Let's make it happen. Sure have enough people there to do it.
 
Is that water I see.
Is that water I see.
Little Nick holding on to that big thing.
Little Nick holding on to that big thing.
 
Yes Peter he has everything under control.
Yes Peter he has everything under control.
Here we go now.
Here we go now.
 
Keith instructing a new pump operator Kevin Jasey about everything drafting.
Keith instructing a new pump operator Kevin Jasey about everything drafting.
Getting ready to do some serious pumping.
Getting ready to do some serious pumping.
 
A picture of Engine 93 doing her thing.
A picture of Engine 93 doing her thing.
The tandem pumpers.
The tandem pumpers.
 
Let's see what we need to do now.
Let's see what we need to do now.
Peter talking it over with Mr. Fairfax.
Peter talking it over with Mr. Fairfax.
 
I think I spilled something on my shirt or maybe it was from breakfast.
I think I spilled something on my shirt or maybe it was from breakfast.
Nice shot from across the pond.
Nice shot from across the pond.
 
Kevin telling Mark, yes that's where the water goes out of the pump.
Kevin telling Mark, yes that's where the water goes out of the pump.
We was watching something.
We was watching something.
 
Captain Burroughs, Les and Peter.
Captain Burroughs, Les and Peter.
Boy that gatoraid tastes good when you don't have anything else to drink.
Boy that gatoraid tastes good when you don't have anything else to drink.
 
Donkey, that's Captain Burroughs nickname, and Bruce making sure the rope holding the deck gun is tight.
Donkey, that's Captain Burroughs nickname, and Bruce making sure the rope holding the deck gun is tight.
Yep it was good to go.
Yep it was good to go.
 
M are ducks....
M are ducks....
M are ducks after I shot at them.
M are ducks after I shot at them.
 
I just love to watch a fire truck pumping water. Just the kid in me.
I just love to watch a fire truck pumping water. Just the kid in me.
Flowing big water.
Flowing big water.
 
Done now it's time to roll hose.
Done now it's time to roll hose.
Even our Treasuer Bruce helps out.
Even our Treasuer Bruce helps out.
 
I think this is Jimmy rolling a piece of rope while Les is rolling it from the other way. LOL
I think this is Jimmy rolling a piece of rope while Les is rolling it from the other way. LOL
This is where Peter lets the hard sleeve get away into the pond.
This is where Peter lets the hard sleeve get away into the pond.
 
He waded in and saved the day.
He waded in and saved the day.
Keith said we done good and let's wrap it up.
Keith said we done good and let's wrap it up.
 
Why is Jimmy Barnes always resting.
Why is Jimmy Barnes always resting.
Here come the reinforcements. Not. They were from the sportman's club.
Here come the reinforcements. Not. They were from the sportman's club.