The Division of Fire Safety has issued new guidleines concerning the request and deployment of the Neptune Pump System. Below is a copy.
County Fire Coordinators, Chief Fire Officers:
Over the many years that the Neptune Pump System has been a valuable resource to the fire service, time and time again OFDP region coordinators as well as our county fire coordinators have found it difficult to convince the Incident Commander of its value and resource to extinguish a major fire, creating a loss of valuable time in extinguishment.
County coordinators and OFDP staff realize its ability to supply large amounts of water, and the ability to conserve manpower and fire resources.
Since it is the responsibility of the state fire coordination system to provide all available fire resources to that Incident commander, to extinguish a major incident. The following will be implemented.
Upon arrival of a county fire coordinator or state region fire coordinator, and it is determined that the Neptune Pump System will be an asset to the Incident Commander, the Neptune System will be requested to deploy. During the response time, the advance team and county fire coordinator or deputy will determine the best location for the placement of the system. This information will then be relayed to the Incident Commander. If at this time the Incident commander does not wish to utilize the Neptune System, it will be staged at a location determined by the team. OFDP staff and county fire coordinators are well versed with the operation and deployment of the Neptune System, and are available for an informational presentation or discussion.