Originally Posted by gfretwell:
I have a dumb question for the firefighters here.
I keep seeing/hearing that they can't fight fires because there isn't any water pressure. Isn't a fire engine a truck with a big pump on it? Why can't they just drop the suction hose in the water they are standing in and pump that?
Not a dumb question.
IMHO (and experience as an urban FF for the past 15 years) most urban departments (hydranted) don't have the experience or equipment to draft from standing water. They've been operating on a positive water supply since the City established one. The rural depts would be better at it.
In addition, due to the chemicals in the water (and debris) drafting would be a difficult endeavor at best. Unlike a "gabage pump" like we use to de-water basements, manholes and such, most fire pumps are small-vaned centrifugal pumps. Many would fail if subjected to the floodwaters for long periods of time.
Just my $0.02.
Doug
