Operations & Training

Northwest, AZ, Fire District Conserving Water During Training Evolutions

Sept. 27, 2024

Instead of spraying water into the air, Northwest firefighters direct it into a trailer unit where it's recirculated.

Firefighters use a lot of water during training.

While training is essential, so is water. That's why Northwest Fire District firefighters are conserving it.

They recently received a grant to get a new piece of equipment that will help with water conservation efforts, KGUN reported.

During previous exercises, the truck would be filled water and sprayed out into the open. Now with the pump pod, water is sprayed into the trailer unit and is recirculated.

Northwest Fire Chief Brad Bradley said he saw something similar in California.

“Our mindset is, how do we make sure that we’re trained to the greatest degree possible and we provide a greater level of caring for our community by reusing a precious resource, not just wasting it,” he said, adding it will help save over 1,500,000 gallons a water a year.

Funding for this came from the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona through the Water Conservation Grant Fund.

After watching firefighters practice skills, Governor Katie Hobbs said: “Training with water, wastes a lot of water and this project will save tens of thousands of gallons per exercise.”

About the Author

Susan Nicol | News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.