Fire service mapping: water supply and pre-incident plans

A shared map for pre-incident planning

A useful fire service map brings information about a response area together. In OPUS Pompier, the mapping explorer locates recorded water supply points and buildings, then opens their information. It gives teams a shared geographic reference for planning discussions.

For a fire chief, an officer or a crew preparing a training exercise, the practical steps are the same: review an area, identify the information available and flag what still needs checking. For a New Brunswick department considering this approach, a first discussion can focus on one station’s response area or the information needed for mutual aid planning.

Firefighting water supply: locate points and review their records

For a New Brunswick audience, the relevant topic is firefighting water supply: hydrants and other recorded water sources. The French interface labels this layer “DECI”, a French term for external firefighting water supply. It is not a New Brunswick regulatory designation.

The video shows the water supply layer being enabled, the map zooming to a point and its record being opened. Showing one layer at a time makes the map easier to read. The information available depends on what the department has entered and kept current, such as identification, location and known characteristics.

A map symbol does not confirm that a hydrant or other water source is currently available or has adequate capacity. Records must be checked against inspections, updates and the department’s procedures.

Pre-incident plans: connect buildings with their information

Locating a building puts it in context: neighbouring streets, surrounding properties and nearby recorded water supply points. The building layer provides a starting point for reviewing site information and documents used in pre-incident planning.

In the video, this layer is labelled “Plans d’établissement”. The map zooms to a building and opens its information. The detail available depends on the records and documents supplied by the department; the map alone is not a complete pre-incident plan.

A simple review starts with one building: open its information, examine nearby water supply points and identify what needs field verification. Access routes, hazards and response arrangements still need to be confirmed using local knowledge and departmental procedures.

3D terrain to understand the response area

The demonstration moves between a flat map and New Caledonia’s terrain in 3D, showing slopes, valleys and the position of built-up areas. This illustrates how changing the view can support a planning discussion.

For a New Brunswick pilot, the department would first need to agree on suitable local mapping and terrain data. The New Caledonia demonstration does not establish local data coverage. The 3D view provides visual context for familiarization and training; it does not calculate an operational route or verify road access.

Start with one area and verified information

Begin with a familiar response area and records the department can validate. Agree who maintains water supply records, who updates building information and how crews report corrections.

• Choose a response area and the records to include first.
• Verify locations and available information with the people responsible.
• Review the map with the firefighters and officers who will use it.
• Set a process for updating records and documents.

A pilot discussion can then identify the local data, workflows and language needs to assess. The demonstration illustrates the mapping approach; it does not establish compliance with New Brunswick requirements or confirm integrations with a department’s existing systems.

What the video shows

1. Understand the terrain: OPUS Pompier and an animated 3D terrain view.
2. Locate water supply points: the “DECI” layer is enabled, followed by a close-up and a point’s record.
3. Locate buildings: the “Plans d’établissement” layer is enabled, followed by a close-up and building information.
4. Change the perspective: a return to the 3D view and an invitation to request a demonstration.

The operational records are fictitious and set in New Caledonia. On-screen labels are in French. Map backgrounds and terrain are credited in the video.