GBW Associates LLC

10/28/2026

Strategic development of fire protection water storage sites is vital in a community's non-hydrated area. Here is some good work being done at a County level to improve FD access to fire protection water. These systems do not "come cheap" but the funding can be managed overtime through the appropriate allocation of resources.

10/25/2026

Dry Fire Hydrant Design #92 - Bridge Mount Installation - Another One in Craftsbury, Vermont

Last month, our team traveled to Craftsbury, Vermont to install two bridge-mounted dry fire hydrant systems. The first installation was part of a bridge replacement project funded by FEMA on Town Garage Road. The second system was installed on Post Road over the Black River, with funding provided jointly by the Town of Craftsbury and the Vermont Rural Fire Protection Task Force.

The installation involved a 6-inch ETT female suction head, an ETT stream strainer, and approximately 16 feet of 6-inch PVC pipe. The system also featured our Jericho ice Breaker on the suction strainer and elbow end of the pipe. A flow test conducted using Craftsbury Fire Department Engine 2, which has a capacity of 1,500 gallons per minute, produced a flow rate of 1,049 gallons per minute. This project marks our 18th bridge-mounted installation in the State of Vermont.

https://www.gotbigwater.com/news/748/Dry-Fire-Hydrant-Design--92---Bridge-Mount-Installation---Another-One-in-Craftsbury-Vermont

10/24/2026

Some more good work coming out of Central Maryland.

10/17/2026

Some nice work being done at the northern border.

This morning in Hemmingford, I Champlain Fire District members along were honored to join our Canadian neighbors for the planting of a Friendship Tree, a living symbol of the longstanding ties between our communities. The Village of Champlain, the Village of Hemmingford, and the Township of Hemmingford have each adopted resolutions of friendship, reaffirming our shared commitment to cooperation and mutual respect across the border. Thank you to Champlain Mayor Janet McFetridge and the community leaders and residents on both sides of the border who made this meaningful day possible.

10/16/2026

A review of water depth requirements for our bridge mount DFH system.

The first of two video clips from our bridge mount DFH installation...

10/16/2026

Dry Fire Hydrant Design #91 - Bridge Mount Installation - Craftsbury, Vermont

Last month, another one of our bridge-mounted dry fire hydrant systems was installed in Vermont. This project was part of a FEMA-funded bridge replacement in Craftsbury. The original bridge on Town Garage Road, which crossed the Black River, had been damaged by flooding. Funding for the new bridge included provisions for one of the bridge-mounted hydrant systems.

Goodhue Excavation, Inc. was awarded the contract for the bridge replacement. Collaboration took place with both the company and the Craftsbury Fire Department to finalize the system’s design and complete installation. The new dry fire hydrant features an angle-mount design, an ETT six-inch female suction head, and an ETT six-inch stream strainer. The client also chose to add the Jericho Ice Breaker feature to the strainer and elbow assembly.

Certification flow testing was conducted using Craftsbury Fire Department’s Engine 2, a 1,500-gallon-per-minute mini-pumper. The system produced a flow rate of 1,049 gallons per minute at 17 feet of lift. The installation was our 17th bridge-mount dry fire hydrant in the State.

https://www.gotbigwater.com/news/747/Dry-Fire-Hydrant-Design-91---Bridge-Mount-Installation---Craftsbury-Vermont

10/09/2026

Hauling Water - New Hampshire Seacoast Style

On Sunday afternoon, October 4, more than thirty members of the Stratham Fire Department and other nearby departments participated in a water hauling exercise. Using tankers, the folks maintained water flow for just under two hours, reaching a peak flow rate of 750 gallons per minute. The operation was supported by three engines, six tankers, and two water fill sites. Both fill sites were ponds, requiring tankers to make round trips of approximately four and six miles.

One challenge during the drill was navigating regular traffic on a pleasant October afternoon in New Hampshire. As a result, tankers were slowed on their routes, limiting the number that could be part of the shuttle at one time and capping the water flow at 750 gallons per minute. Despite this, the crews successfully maintained the operation with the resources available.

The seminar was sponsored and hosted by the Stratham Fire Department. This marked the fourth seminar held in Stratham since 2014, with excellent hospitality and logistical support as always. Instructors for the weekend were Mark Davis and Tim Legore.

Units: Stratham Engine 1 (1500 gpm/1200gal), Stratham Tanker 8 (2000 gpm/3000 gal), Hampton Falls Engine 8 (1500 gpm/1000 gal), Hampton Falls Tanker 4 (1250 gpm/2500 gal), Newfields Engine 3 (1500 gpm/2250 gal), Newfields Engine 4 (1500 gpm/1000 gal), Kennebunk Tanker 22 (750 gpm,/1800 gal), and Greenland Tanker 1 (1250 gpm/3000 gal).

https://www.gotbigwater.com/news/746/Hauling-Water---New-Hampshire-Seacoast-Style