TACTICAL USE OF FIRE HYDRANTS.

The answer for blocked or encroached upon hydrants, is NYPD enforcement using the tow away program? Should the 10-75 include the response of NYPD tow away tow trucks? In true emergency situations, ie. people trapped or rapidly extending fire, push the car away from the hydrant with a rig. The Law is in our favor! Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired.
 
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captaindewey50267021@gm said:
The answer for blocked or encroached upon hydrants, is NYPD enforcement using the tow away program? Should the 10-75 include the response of NYPD tow away tow trucks? In true emergency situations, ie. people trapped or rapidly extending fire, push the car away from the hydrant with a rig. The Law is in our favor! Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired.
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Hi Boss, if you think about it, why should we even be worried about a parked car on the hydrant?...The 35' yellow supply line was added to engines in the late 80's to resolve this issue. In addition, 3 ½” hose – Standard 50-foot lengths of 3 ½” hose can be used to hook up to a hydrant through the use of a specialized hydrant connection fitting (4 ½” to 3” double female). There is no limit on the number of lengths that can be used, so this option allows for the greatest flexibility...let the PD worry about the parked car, that's there job.
 
JohnnyGage said:
Hi Boss, if you think about it, why should we even be worried about a parked car on the hydrant?...The 35' yellow supply line was added to engines in the late 80's to resolve this issue. In addition, 3 ½” hose – Standard 50-foot lengths of 3 ½” hose can be used to hook up to a hydrant through the use of a specialized hydrant connection fitting (4 ½” to 3” double female). There is no limit on the number of lengths that can be used, so this option allows for the greatest flexibility...let the PD worry about the parked car, that's there job.
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What about when the Engine can’t get close enough to the hydrant / curb because of ILLEGALLY parked cars and ends up blocking out the truck company who now can’t get into position IFO the Fire building. I know you can bring a truck company in from the other direction but that’s only if the street is accessible from both ends. So yes the ECC has options with regard to hooking up and getting a positive water source but what about the rest of the equation ?
 
Johnny and my other brothers make a good point. The problem with using 3 1/2" and other soft clad supply hose/s is that if the pressure in the intake of the pumper drops, because of low hydrant pressure, trying to pump out more water than is being supplied, problems with the pump,, then the pressure within the supply lie drops and the hose can collapse in on its self, further reducing the water being supplied. This is why "Hard Suctions" have either a coil spring embedded, OR ribs/ridges in place to keep the suction from collapsing under negative pressure, (This includes drafting water). There was a time the FDNY Book of Regulations, required the use of hard suctions by all Engine Companies, other than the 1st. or 2nd due Engine on the 1st. Alarm. Hard suctions are a bitch to use but may be needed especially at suppling water at large fires.
Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 "Known at the only MPO who ever Slowed down 'Rapid water" A STORY FOR ANOTHER TIME.
 
Having read and participated in this thread I just want to say I really enjoy the photographic examples posted and more importantly I am Impressed by the multitude of solutions proposed by the participants of the thread.

Additionally, I look forward to hearing from Captain Rainey regarding being "Known as the only MPO who ever slowed down Rapid Water. Im sure the story will be entertaining and educational at the same time.
 
Elmerj said:
What about when the Engine can’t get close enough to the hydrant / curb because of ILLEGALLY parked cars and ends up blocking out the truck company who now can’t get into position IFO the Fire building. I know you can bring a truck company in from the other direction but that’s only if the street is accessible from both ends. So yes the ECC has options with regard to hooking up and getting a positive water source but what about the rest of the equation ?
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The engine apparatus should be positioned as close to the fire building as possible to reduce the time, effort and number of lengths needed for the stretch. However, consideration must be given to ladder company response and the engine apparatus should be positioned so that it will not interfere with ladder company positioning. (OPTIONS: The engine apparatus can be positioned to hook up to a hydrant either past the fire building, or before reaching the fire building.)

OR..Signal 10-70 after Urgent call to Boro dispatcher: Signifies that a water relay is required because the first-arriving engine company has no positive water source. This critical radio code informs the command that additional engines are needed to establish a water supply, often designating the second-due engine as the water resource unit...Let PD worry about the illegally parked car.
**(Before I was a truckie, I was the B/U ECC of E 88 for 4 years).


1.Backstretch.jpg
 
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captaindewey50267021@gm said:
Johnny and my other brothers make a good point. The problem with using 3 1/2" and other soft clad supply hose/s is that if the pressure in the intake of the pumper drops, because of low hydrant pressure, trying to pump out more water than is being supplied, problems with the pump,, then the pressure within the supply lie drops and the hose can collapse in on its self, further reducing the water being supplied. This is why "Hard Suctions" have either a coil spring embedded, OR ribs/ridges in place to keep the suction from collapsing under negative pressure, (This includes drafting water). There was a time the FDNY Book of Regulations, required the use of hard suctions by all Engine Companies, other than the 1st. or 2nd due Engine on the 1st. Alarm. Hard suctions are a bitch to use but may be needed especially at suppling water at large fires.
Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 "Known at the only MPO who ever Slowed down 'Rapid water" A STORY FOR ANOTHER TIME.
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FDNY PUMPERS generally pump to only 2 handlines for that reason. When supplying a large calibre stream or providing water to a tower ladder they should be the only source alleviating the negative hydrant pressure. A third line should only be used only in Emergency Conditions AND with confirmed water supply.
 
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