Japanese pumpers normally carry two preconnected suction hoses, which can be used both for hydrant access or open water. Usually, the left side hose is used to connect to a hydrant and the right side hose is normally reserved for operation from a street reservoir (which contains rainwater runoff). Hence the yellow strainer on the right side suction.
Some areas in many towns still rely on the reservoir system, but hydrants are pretty much universal in central areas in large cities.
Of course, SOP is to position the pumper very near the hydrant, but standpipes are also carried so that longer supply runs can be accomplished if neceessary using flat hose, as in Europe.
One delivery is preconnected to a back pack, containing 3 X 15 meter lengths, stored in the locker above the pump. Another is carried in the rear locker, along with a one man hose cart containing around 150 meters of hose.
These units often have no water tank, but Japanese firefighters are extremely quick to hook up to a water supply and get lines to work, thanks to everything using preconnects.
They also carry very lightweight ground ladders -"featherweight" would be a better description, mounted on powered roof racks and also very quick to deploy.
These are some very good and well-proven ideas to meet the different challenges of fighting fires in tightly-packed areas of older timber structures with very narrow streets and alleys.
Fires are not very common in Japan - Tokyo had less than 6, 000 last year (for a population of 13 million) but they are often quite serious because of the closely-packed wooden structures.
Some areas in many towns still rely on the reservoir system, but hydrants are pretty much universal in central areas in large cities.
Of course, SOP is to position the pumper very near the hydrant, but standpipes are also carried so that longer supply runs can be accomplished if neceessary using flat hose, as in Europe.
One delivery is preconnected to a back pack, containing 3 X 15 meter lengths, stored in the locker above the pump. Another is carried in the rear locker, along with a one man hose cart containing around 150 meters of hose.
These units often have no water tank, but Japanese firefighters are extremely quick to hook up to a water supply and get lines to work, thanks to everything using preconnects.
They also carry very lightweight ground ladders -"featherweight" would be a better description, mounted on powered roof racks and also very quick to deploy.
These are some very good and well-proven ideas to meet the different challenges of fighting fires in tightly-packed areas of older timber structures with very narrow streets and alleys.
Fires are not very common in Japan - Tokyo had less than 6, 000 last year (for a population of 13 million) but they are often quite serious because of the closely-packed wooden structures.
Added by Rob Johnson on 19 April 2013.