Next time the 150 Mile House Volunteer Fire Department wants to refill one of its tankers or use water for a practice, Chief Stan McCarthy will not need to apply for a special permit.
As of March 31, changes to the water sustainability act regulations announced by the Ministry of Forests mean fire departments will no longer need to apply for special authorization to install a dry hydrant to access water for non-emergency firefighting activities.
“We have been able to access water for firefighting, but if we want to refill our tanker afterwards or use water for practice we had to apply for a special permit,” McCarthy said.
While the province is waiving the authorization requirement and fees, it will still maintain oversight by requiring firefighters to file a notice of intent 45 days before planning to install a dry hydrant.
In that time period it is expected that habitat officers and engineers will review the site and provide directions to ensure ecosystems are protected.
“These changes will ensure that firefighters have access to the water they need without compromising the integrity of critical fish and wildlife habitat,” Minister of State for Rural Economic Development Donna Barnett said.
McCarthy said the department has had a dry hydrant at Dugan Lake for 35 years and is planning on putting another dry hydrant in placeon Eagle Lake.
“We did put one years ago in Frontier Estates and I am planning on putting one somewhere along the Likely Road if I can find a good water source,” McCarthy said.
With a dry hydrant, crews can fill a 2,000 gallon tanker in three minutes flat, he added.
A dry hydrant pipe sticking out of the ground also provides water year-round because they never freeze.