Augmenting Catalina Island’s Salt Water Hydrant System

Enroute

• Make initial contact with Avalon Fire Dept. via LBFD dispatch to Catalina Island in order to designate a radio frequency

• Radio communication must go through one of the LA Co. FD radio frequencies

On Scene

• Contact Avalon FD via LA Co Fire (Avalon is not equipped with LBFD fire frequencies)

• Make contact with Avalon Harbor Patrol and Harbor Master

Avalon Fire Department

• Will respond to the dock to provide assistance and transportation if needed

Docking the Fire Boat

• Dock the fire boat where the Catalina Express boat loads and unloads passengers

• The water here is approximately forty to fifty foot depth

Backfilling the Fire Hydrant

• There is a fire hydrant located on the pier

• Most fire hydrants in Avalon are equipped with a 4 1/2” outlet requiring a 4 1/2” female to 4” male fitting to make the connection

Laying out the hose line

• Connect to the aft master stream appliance and lay the line up the gangway to the hydrant

• Approximately 150’ of hose

Charging the hose line

• Charge the line slowly

• Pump at approximately 140 PSI

Fill the reservoirs

• There are two reservoirs located on both sides of Avalon at an elevation of approximately one hundred feet

• One of them has a capacity of approximately 210,000 gallons and the other 410,000 gallons

Unlimited Supply

• Continue pumping as needed, keeping constant communication with Avalon FD

• Be mindful of fuel needs during extended operations