All good ideas, but the brother that took issue with the FDNYs ability to draft water, does not realize the problems of drafting water in N.Y.C.
"NONE of the rivers or even the Salt water around NYC is CLEAN" the other problem involved in drafting water in NYC is access to drafting sites.
Yes, we have a lot of water around NYC! But a lot of the shore front is made up of parks, docks, piers, and industrial areas, which make access for drafting difficult. Yes, in my time in the FDNY I have seen drafting done at fires, but it was a last resort. The water is so polluted in many areas that it can create real problems. If a fireboat supplies an Engine company, the Super Pumper or a Satellite Engine or anytime FDNY drafts a full purging of the pumps with clean water is required. FDNY members in Engine Company Chauffers' School, ARE taught how to draft just in case.
Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired