Private contract fire equipment

[Aaronw]

If you can get a water tender there, it isn't that remote. It is possible someone did spec out the trucks with an opening lid, but I doubt it was used operationally, as it would be a high risk operation to both equipment and personnel. Even from a very low drop height the water leaving a helicopters bucket has a lot of force that has a lot of potential to damage a standard tank. The chances of the bucket snagging on the truck would be significant as well (they would have to almost put the bucket in the tank). 

 

There is a piece of equipment out there now that will do the same job though, the Klump pump. Check out the construction of the tank, quite a bit beefier than your standard portable tank or even fixed tank on a vehicle. Also a nice wide area with a relatively low base height making the pilots job a little easier.

 

http://www.uni-engine.com/gallery.html