County fire departments tested water pumps on Thursday.
Photo by Alexandra Hedrick

Water has been pouring out onto streets and property surrounding the Carriere Volunteer Fire Station on U.S. Highway 11 for two days as part of required annual pump testing.

Chief Chris Banks with the Carriere Volunteer Fire Department said testing all the fire department trucks’ water pumps is an annual requirement by the Mississippi State Rating Bureau.

On Wednesday and Thursday, 15 fire trucks from seven fire departments traveled to Carriere to have the water pumps tested by Emergency Equipment Service, LLC, Banks said.

Emergency Equipment Service, LLC is a third party company that test the water pumps and makes repairs to the trucks if needed, said owner Mike Johnson.

Johnson said his company has been testing the Pearl River County fire department trucks for many years and that the company works closely with the Mississippi State Rating Bureau.

“We strive to maintain a good relationship with them (rating bureau),” Johnson said.

While performing the pump test, Johnson and his crew discovered a repair that needed to be made to one of the trucks. The company was able to finish the test and make the repair right at the station.

Banks said the company’s ability to make the repairs on site is one of many reasons they hire Emergency Equipment Service, LLC to do the testing every year.

“They are highly recommended and highly trained,” Banks said.

He said even though trucks were at the station in Carriere being tested, there was always an available truck if the department got a call.