The system of three reservoirs in a cascade built in the area of Zadná voda can collect almost 50,000 m3 of water. The investment in the amount of EUR 3.7 mil can not only accumulate water to make snow but also collect torrential downpour and keep the flow in streams smooth. Recently, a new fire-fighting pumping station has been added to the reservoirs so that they can serve to pump water for fire-fighting purposes.
“Water from the reservoirs can be used to extinguish fire at least in two ways. Either a helicopter scoops water with a bucket from the reservoir or fire tanker hose is thrown into the reservoir and water is pumped into the tanker. However, the water surface can freeze in spring and autumn, which could be a problem,” explained Vladimír Čukan, the general manager of the TMR construction department. That is why members of the fire and rescue service have suggested how to fix the problem technically. “A fixed stand has been installed at the reservoir to connect up to three fire-fighting vehicles at the same time if necessary. The stand is supplied with water through a separate piping system from the bottom of the reservoir. In addition, a paved area for three fire-fighting vehicles has been created to make the water pumping process smooth, fast and to ensure a high capacity, which is crucial in the case of fire,” said Jiří Trumpeš, the general manager of the Jasná resort.
The latest innovation of the mountain resort was tested by professional fire fighters who were training cooperation for the purpose of extinguishing forest fires together with volunteers in Jasná last weekend. Besides checking the newly built pumping station in Zadné vody, the fire fighters tested an attack hose line by using a lake system in rough mountain terrain and long-distance water transport from a snowmaking reservoir in the area of Biela púť. The training of professionals of the District Fire and Rescue Service Department of Liptovský Mikuláš was joined by 20 local volunteers.
