DCFD Photos, old or new

[Frank B]

[quote name='Truckman' date='27 January 2010 - 03:12 PM' timestamp='1264611176' post='360758']

Nate,



Any department that ran two piece engine companies was efficient. The wagon could lay out maybe up an alley from a hydrant and the pumper would put in and supply the wagon lines. Or they could split lay, wagon drop the supply line and the pumper piece off and lay to the water source.



The two piece operation worked well through the years. Unfortantllyy the bean counters, proficiency experts and others found a way to cut out one of the pieces and have the company run with one piece.



At one time years back, late 1940's and early 1950's Richmond had all 21 two piece engine companies.



Also years back the wagons were either hose wagons and or hose booster wagons. Not full size pumpers as some department are using now day in two piece operations.

[/quote]

Also, the large diameter hose made the use of two piece engine companys unnecessary, back in the day of 2 1/2" - 3 1/2" hose a secound engine was required to give a presure boost to the recieving truck. Interesting to note that 5" hose was available in Europe way back in the 1950's (I read this somewhere)