We continue to provide examples of the need for carrying additional suction hose on pumpers and tankers (tenders) in the rural areas. Unless specified, an engine and engine/tanker generally comes with 20 feet of suction hose. But...we know from experience that there are many situations where more than 20 feet of suction hose is needed just to reach the water's edge.
Therefore, when designing your water supply apparatus, be sure to examine your water supply sources to determine the quantity of suction hose needed in order to establish an effective water supply operation. For engines that are expected to draft and support a water supply effort - 40 feet of suction hose is a reasonably amount to carry - based on the ability to draft with dual suctions, 20 feet away from the source.
When you operate in an area where drafting "is your life," then carry enough suction hose so that you can support high-flow water supply operations.
There also is no rule about having to carry suction hose in 10-ft lengths. The Ashville pumper carries 13-ft and 14-ft lengths of suction hose. Why? Because that is what will fit on the side of the body. This idea presents an easy way to get more "overall" suction hose using the minimum number of sections.
Ashville VFC Engine 603 (2,250 gpm) is an effective water supply unit because it is equipped with 60 feet of hard suction hose. The crew does not have to wait for other pumpers to show up in order to deploy multiple suction lines.
