09/22/2026
Dear Watertown/Oakville Residents,
The Watertown Fire Department will be conducting a firefighting water shuttle drill on Tuesday, September 22nd, from approximately 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM. As part of this exercise, fire hydrants located along Otis Drive will be utilized by fire department apparatus and mutual-aid water tankers.
Residents in the area of Fern Hill Rd, Northfield Road, may notice an increased presence of fire trucks, water tankers, personnel, and emergency warning lights in the area during the drill. There may also be brief periods of increased traffic or activity around the hydrants and along Otis Drive. This is a planned training exercise and is not an emergency.
Why Are We Conducting This Drill?
This exercise is an important part of the Town of Watertown's effort to maintain and improve its Public Protection Classification (PPC), commonly referred to as the community's ISO fire rating.
The Insurance Services Office (ISO) evaluates communities based on several factors related to fire protection, including the capabilities of the fire department, water supply, emergency communications, and the community's ability to provide an adequate supply of water for firefighting operations.
Because Watertown must be prepared to provide large quantities of water during fires where the municipal water system or hydrant supply may be limited, the ability to establish an effective water shuttle operation using fire department tankers is an important component of our overall preparedness.
Maintaining a strong fire protection classification can benefit the entire community. A better PPC rating may help residents and businesses qualify for lower fire insurance premiums, depending on their individual insurance company and policy.
This drill will allow the Watertown Fire Department and our mutual-aid partners to practice the coordination, communications, equipment, and procedures necessary to move large quantities of water efficiently during a major fire.
Participating Mutual-Aid Departments
We are grateful for the assistance and participation of our neighboring fire departments, which will be providing water tankers for the exercise:
Middlebury Fire Department
Woodbury Fire Department
Bethlehem Fire Department
Morris Fire Department
Thomaston Fire Department
Their participation is an important part of demonstrating our ability to work together during a large-scale emergency.
What Residents Can Expect During the exercise:
Fire hydrants on Otis Drive will be flowing water.
Fire engines and water tankers will be operating in the area. Emergency warning lights may be activated.
Traffic may be temporarily slowed around operating apparatus. Fire department personnel will be working throughout the area to conduct and evaluate the drill.
We ask residents to use caution when driving through the area and give emergency apparatus plenty of room to operate. Please do not approach or interfere with equipment or personnel while the exercise is underway.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we conduct this important training exercise. Drills such as this help ensure that the Watertown Fire Department and our mutual-aid partners
are prepared to protect our residents, businesses, and community when a real emergency occurs.
If you have any questions regarding the drill, please contact Deputy Chief James DeMarest at 860-945-5220.
Thank you for your cooperation and continued support of the Watertown Fire Department.
Respectfully,
Deputy Chief James DeMarest
Watertown Fire Department
860-945-5220
