High Volume Pumping

High volume pumping (HVP) has been established to provide the capability to pump and move large quantities of water over long distances.

HVP has probably been the most used aspect of the New Dimension programme, as demonstrated by the highly successful operations at the Carlisle floods and the Buncefield tank fires. Most brigades have also used the capability very successfully locally.

Hampshire assisted significantly with the national HVP project. In the early trials of the system, Hampshire used some of the deep lift pumping opportunities at Southampton Docks to test the capability of potential equipment. We have also loaned a member of staff to develop and deliver HVP training procedures at the Fire Service College.

The vehicles are based and operated by two retained stations in the south of the county, Hythe and Hardley, supported by a further retained station, Ringwood. The strategy for using these retained stations was adopted for several reasons:

The crews on these stations were enthusiastic to take on the role
These retained stations are well staffed and can guarantee sufficient personnel to support HVP operations even in busy periods
These stations cover the greatest concentration of COMAH sites in the county, many of which would benefit from the HVP capability e.g. Fawley Refinery
Many of the personnel work as plant operators in these local industries and have a working knowledge of pumping systems etc
There are excellent training opportunities locally where the HVP can be operated so maintaining competence is easier
There was available garaging space at these stations for the vehicles

The crews on all these stations are now trained to operate the system and get additional training time allocated each month to maintain their skills. There are trained HVP instructors on station to maintain everybody’s competence with the equipment and vehicles.

They have carried out various exercises at risks around the County and developed specific procedures for Fawley Refinery.

They have also shared knowledge and exercised with the Isle of Wight and Dorset HVP crews and liaised with other regional HVP brigades.

Mobilising protocols are in place, risks are being identified where the HVP will be added to the pre-determined attendance and all officers and other key staff are being familiarised with the system.

The capacity, reliability, speed of deployment and efficient use of personnel and appliances means that this capability effectively replaces the need for complex multi pump hose water relays.

The High Volume Pumps have been housed in garaging space made available at Hardley and Hythe. Some relatively minor modifications were needed to the buildings.

High Volume Pumping has now been rolled out across the country with 46 sets strategically placed across the country (England).
The pumps were introduced by the Government under the New Dimensions initiative and can be deployed to any area of the country upon request.
The situation in Hampshire is unique in that the HVP units are staffed by the retained firefighters at Hardley, Hythe and Ringwood Fire Stations in the New Forest.
Since 9/11 (2001) the Government has invested heavily in the Fire and Rescue Service to ensure it has enhanced capability to deal with major incidents, spending over £200million to equip the Fire and Rescue Services across England with a wide ranging package of specialist equipment and facilities. Part of this was the purchase of High Volume Pumps (HVPs).
HVPs are able to provide water for firefighting at a rate of 7,000 litres of water per minute or remove water from a flooded area.
An Olympic size swimming pool could be emptied by a pair of HVP’s in 3 hours compared to just over 9 hours with standard equipment.
A road tanker containing 28,000 litres (roughly 6,200 gallons) could be emptied by a single HVP in 4 minutes.
Hardley’s HVP consists of one Prime Mover (chassis/cab vehicle with hook-lift) and a demountable container which holds a HVP unit containing a Hydra sub and one kilometre of 150mm hose.
The unit at Hythe consists of one Prime Mover with a demountable HVP, containing a further two kilometres of 150mm hose.