Mountain Water and HD Supply provide Missoula Fire Department fire training tool

MISSOULA, Mont., Sept. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Mountain Water Company (Mountain Water) announced today that they have worked with HD Supply Waterworks, to provide a replica of a fire hydrant, cut in half, which allows firefighter trainees the ability to study hydrants. Missoula City Fire Department will use the hydrant cutaway display for fire training activities. Mountain Water and HD Supply Waterworks, a distributor of high-quality fire protection and water related products and services, obtained this extraordinarily detailed display to help firefighters thoroughly understand the internal components of a working hydrant.

Mountain Water maintains over 1,300 hydrants that residents and the Fire Department rely on for fire flow needs.

"Fire hydrant training is vital to operating them correctly," said Missoula Fire Chief, Jason Diehl. "This fire display is a valued addition to our training facility."

Cities and towns, like Missoula, rely on public classifications to gauge fire-fighting capability variables, which include the water system and Fire Department. The Insurance Service Office (ISO) issues a grade that is used by insurance companies to determine homeowner insurance rates.

According to Diehl, Missoula has a very favorable ISO grade due to several fire protection variables including sufficient water access and supply, a strong maintenance and emergency response program, and extensive training.  Having adequate training tools factors into the favorable ISO rating, and a cutaway hydrant was a recommendation in the last ISO review.

"This is another example of how we work within the community to provide exceptional fire protection," remarked John Kappes, President of Mountain Water. "Understanding critical components of a hydrant is essential during an emergency."

About Mountain Water Company
Mountain Water Company provides quality tap water, irrigation, and fire flow to 65,000 residents in Missoula through 37 wells, 45 booster stations, 24 storage facilities with a capacity of over 9.4 million gallons, 300 miles of main and over 24,000 service lines. Additional information may be found by visiting mtnwater.com.

SOURCE Mountain Water Company