[quote name='dcfireman' timestamp='1301663808' post='432187']
![[Image: attachment.php?thumbnail=72505]](http://firepics.net/MyBB/attachment.php?thumbnail=72505)
I have several anecdotes affirming each of the five points made by Feuerwehr75 above. The bottom line is the incomparable speed in placing companies into service at an alarm. I’m sure fellow fire pixer John “Truckman” Hinant a can attest to this, as Richmond, VA, was a major two-piece department.
This is an image of Engine Co. 23 in the late seventies, typical of a DCFD firehouse on a Saturday – wash out day. It is winter and the bay door is closed with the apparatus outside until the floor dries. Notice the cleaned oil pans set on end to dry.
A few companies had the combination of a Ward LaFrance wagon and Pirsch pumper in the late sixties. I believe E-29 had the last pair. E-23 and E-2 ran this combination until the Hahn purchase in 1980.
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Kevin, first of all, What great beauties the Pirsch and Ward was!! Good to see these two from the 23's.
Yes Richmond ran two piece companies up and into the 1980's. The operation was similar to the DCFD, as we ran with the crew on the wagon, made the hydrant, laid out and connected the leader line with a wye and stretch in. The Engine or Pumper, driver only, make the connection to the hydrant, hook the wagons supply line to a discharge and supplied water.
Other companies arriving, be it two piece or a triple, could lay off the engine at the hydrant and lay out. If it was another two piece, most the times they would make their own hydrant but in some cases they could lay from a engine already in, so their engine or pumper would seek out another hydrant, usually on the street corner behind the job.
Another great advantage of the two piece operation would be if the company went into the alley behind the fire building. Richmond is made up of streets and alleys behind most addresses. The wagon would make the alley on a forward lay and the engine would take or make their line and lay to a hydrant, in a split lay out. In some areas, the hydrants were on the corner of the alley and not on the main street or avenue. If this was the case the engine would make the hydrant connection as so it wouldn't block the ally, should another company could get in.
Here is a photo form my collection, showing a two piece company. Wagon 17 a 1948 Mack 750-200 of left and Engine 17 a 1953 Mack 1000-200 on the right.
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' /> Matter of fact I was the only Truck Tech that could cross the floor and drive when needed.
' /> (Ret)
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