In this episode of our Water Delivery Podcast, Bill Adkins and Andy Soccodato join Chris Mc Loone to discuss getting the maximum flows to your fireground and how your supply line choice (5″, 4″, 3″, etc.) can impact the gpm you receive at the scene of a fire. They’ll discuss the topic from both rural and urban/suburban perspectives and will also delve into some of the designs behind the pump panel to consider to ensure you deliver maximum flows.
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One of the core themes explored in the podcast is the crucial role of hose diameter in establishing a reliable water supply. Adkins asserts the need to use the largest hose available, often recommending a five-inch supply line for all fire scenarios. He emphasizes that even smaller fires have the potential to escalate, making it vital to have an adequate supply of water immediately available.

Soccodato suggests that while five-inch hoses offer a robust solution, it may not always be necessary in every situation, particularly for smaller fires where a three-inch or two-and-a-half-inch hose might suffice.

The podcast also sheds light on common misconceptions concerning fire hydrants. As Soccodato points out, hydrants are often misunderstood as being capable of delivering all necessary volume with sufficient pressure over long distances; however, this is not the case. Most hydrants are calibrated to deliver their maximum flow rate at a residual pressure of 20 psi, which is insufficient for overcoming friction loss in extensive supply lines.

When determining the appropriate supply line from a hydrant to the fire scene, factors such as line diameter and length must be highly regarded to ensure that friction loss does not diminish the flow’s effectiveness. This understanding becomes critical when firefighting involves hydrants with varying capacities, particularly in urban firefighting scenarios where high-volume hydrants must be strategically tapped.

A crucial aspect of any firefighting operation involves calculating the flow required for effective fire suppression. As Adkins aptly explains, the formula for estimating flow needs—width multiplied by length, divided by three—serves as a guideline for departments. In rural contexts, flow needs can vary significantly, with factors like facility size and materials contributing to disparate requirements.

Soccodato echoes these sentiments by noting that rural departments with varying types of water sources—whether tankers or hydrants—need to tailor approaches based on locally available resources. In communities reliant on tanker systems, it becomes essential to calculate the potential yield of the equipment in use, ensuring the selected hose size meets the fire’s demands without unnecessarily taxing pumper capacities.

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Taryn Luna
Los Angeles Times
(TNS)

A man was killed Sunday morning in a car accident after he turned in front of a fire engine at an intersection in Pacoima, according to authorities.

A Los Angeles City Fire Department engine was responding to a call and driving southbound on San Fernando Road around 10:45 a.m. when a Toyota Corolla made a left-hand turn from Terra Bella Street in front of the fire truck, said Sgt. Jodie McGee with the Los Angeles Police Department Valley Traffic Division.

“A collision occurred,” McGee said. “The driver of the vehicle, the Toyota Corolla, was transported to Holy Cross, where he was pronounced.”

McGee said the firefighters in the engine were shaken up but uninjured.

The LAPD is handling the investigation into the incident. Police are still attempting to identify the victim, who McGee said was not carrying identification. He was the only person in the Corolla.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

©2025 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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The Fairplay Grant Fire Territory Chief Bryan Woodall wrecked the department’s newest fire apparatus Saturday, March 29, he said in a Facebook post.

Here’s the post:

“Yesterday afternoon I was involved in a wreck in one of our fire trucks,” Woodall said in the post. “Yes, it was our newest truck. Only being in service for two months yesterday. I moved over too far on the edge of the county road and the truck went down into the ditch. I thought I could ride it out, but when the truck came to the end of the ditch the culvert caused the truck to bounce and skid sideways. The truck went off the other side of the road skidding sideways in the road. The truck rolled over one time and came to rest on the passenger side.”

“It just reminds you of the dangers of big trucks on the county roads,” the chief said. “Remember that most county roads do not have shoulders and if they are blacktopped. There is a definite drop off.”

The post IN Fire Chief Wrecks Department’s Newest Fire Apparatus appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

DeLand Fire Department’s antique fire truck, The Sutherland, was recognized with the Judges Award by the Society for the Preservation & Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America (SPAAMFAA), the department said in a Facebook post recently..

The award was given at the organization’s national winter convention hosted this month in Kissimmee where more than 50 fire trucks were on display.

“We are incredibly honored to receive this award,” said Fire Chief Todd Allen. “The Sutherland is a large piece of our storied history and one we are committed to preserving for future generations here in DeLand.”

Chief Allen noted that The Sutherland was one of the few trucks on display at the competition that is still actively in use by a fire department.

The 1942 Chevrolet Fire truck is a fixture in the DeLand community, often used at city functions including the DeLand Christmas Parade. It served as an active fire truck during World War II and was donated to the city at the conclusion of the war.

The fire truck is named for former longtime firefighter Dave Sutherland, who began as a volunteer firefighter with the City of DeLand in 1972. He later became a full-time employee in 1975 as a meter reader. After his retirement in 2005, he continued to volunteer with the fire department.

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