Mapleton Fire Rescue stations maintained the department’s water tanker shuttle accreditation in the latest round of testing.
Fire Chief Rick Richardson reported at the Nov. 28 meeting that Drayton and Moorefield stations have received a five-year accreditation for flowing at least 250 gallons (946 litres) per minute.
This flow is the minimum that residential houses outside the area covered by fire hydrants need to get the same insurance rates as houses covered by fire hydrants.
All residences within eight kilometres of the water source qualify for this rate, Richardson explained in his report.
The department far exceeded the minimum standards in the September 2017 test, shuttling water from the Drayton station to a test area at the Moorefield station. Using three tankers from Mapleton, two from Minto and one from North Perth, firefighters were able to raise the flow rate to 540 gallons per minute.
Mapleton Fire/Rescue achieved the rate of 500 gallons per minute when tested in September 2007 and increased that rate to 525 gallons per minute in September 2012.
The certificate is valid for five years.
“We should be very grateful to our fire department for doing this, because I believe it can make a difference on your insurance,” commented councillor Dennis Craven.
