Tanker trucks play a crucial role in ensuring an adequate water supply during firefighting operations. These trucks are specialized apparatus designed to transport large quantities of water to the fireground. They serve areas with limited fire hydrants or no hydrant service.

Skippack firefighters practiced tanker operations last week. This week's training was supposed to continue this theme, but instead our tanker truck was dispatched to a large woods fire in Upper Salford, so the remaining crew practiced search and hoseline advancement with Trappe Fire Company.

Tanker shuttle operations involve the tanker dumping water (ours holds 3000 gallons) into a portable tank near the fire scene and then driving to a fill site to refill. Tankers circle through this process until water is no longer needed. A draft engine pumps water from the tank to the fire scene. This shuttle system ensures a continuous flow of water to fight the fire.