Kamloops firefighters say four new FireBozz sprinklers would have come in handy during last year’s fires in Batchelor Hills and on East Shuswap Road.

The modified agricultural sprinklers will help fight interface fires in residential areas, especially where the houses are in close contact with the wildland

Assistant Fire Chief Robb Schoular says the sprinklers can be use on their own or in groups, and the entire system can be set up in about 20 minutes.

“It depends on our source of water supply. Today, we had two hydrants that we tapped into so it was relatively easy,” he said. “Tomorrow we may deploy these in a remote where there are no hydrants. We’d have to either bring water in, tap into a pond or a lake or a river, so it would take a bit more time logistically to set all that up.”

The sprinklers cost $3,800 each, and the additional hose and fittings brought the total cost to $20,000. Schoular says there are plans to buy more sprinklers next year.

“With these large sprinklers that we have purchased, we can cover an area of anywhere from 800 to about 1200 feet,” he added. “We can run the hose lines up the middle of the street and protect houses on both sides of the street instead of houses one at a time.”

KFR has had these sprinklers for about a month, and the next step is to train all firefighters on how the use the system.

 

Kamloops Fire Rescue crews training with the new FireBozz Rapid Deploy Fire-Suppression System. This system can be rapidly deployed to protect substantial urban interface ares. Remember be vigilant around our interface areas and be FrreSmart!!! #kamloops pic.twitter.com/DURkhIaF0l

— Kamloops Fire Rescue (@KamFire) July 25, 2019

(photo via Kamloops Fire and Rescue)