Disclosed are methods and premade and/or prepositioned kits for bypassing damaged or blocked standpipes during fire or other emergencies to quickly restore water supply near the location of the fire. More specifically, an illustrative embodiment includes a method for bypassing a damaged standpipe during a fire emergency, comprising: identifying (a) the approximate location of said damage, (b) a first valve on said standpipe below said location, and (c) a second valve on said standpipe above said location; shutting the water supply to said standpipe; cutting a first section out of the standpipe immediately above said first valve, thereby leaving a first open section of standpipe above said first valve; cutting a second section out of the standpipe immediately below said second valve, thereby leaving a second open section of standpipe below said second valve; capping said first and second open sections; connecting flexible tubing from said first valve to said second valve; and restarting the water supply to said standpipe.