While going through photos from our 2011 seminar in Dekalb County, Alabama, we found several images demonstrating how to use 5-inch large-diameter hose (LDH) when your pumper does not have an LDH discharge. This is not a new technique, but these photos serve as a useful reminder.

By connecting two smaller hoses from a pair of 2-1/2 inch discharges into an LDH appliance, flow is typically improved ... (Full Story & Photos)

The images shown are from the Larry Davis, Jr. Collection and were taken during a water supply class many years ago in Montana. Over the years, many new ideas have been introduced to improve firefighting operations, often with promises of making tasks easier or more effective. However, probably more than half the time, these innovations turn out to be less effective than expected.

The introduction ... (Full Story & Photos)

These photos are from July 1984, documenting collaborative efforts on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. Chief Billy Harris, along with personnel from Nikiski and nearby fire departments, focused on improving rural water supply delivery operations. During this period, numerous creative solutions were implemented, and Nikiski received new apparatus to further support these initiatives.

One primary objective ... (Full Story & Photos)

Dump tank operations rely on the efficient use of water transfer devices. A common question during our seminars is about the recommended pressure for pumping jet siphons. There is no single answer, as it depends on the specific equipment used. The main objective is to use enough pressure to achieve an efficient flow, similar to what is shown in demonstration photos.

For jet siphons using a 6-inch ... (Full Story & Photos)

A few photos from our 2013 seminar in Fitzwilliam, NH at the Meadowood Area Fire Department's Fire Training Center. We were so honored to teach at this facility for it had a whole bunch of history for fire service folks throughout New England. We were sorting some photos and found the ones we took of a water transfer set-up we built using an open-butt end of 1-3/4" hose, a 25-ft length of rope, ... (Full Story & Photos)

We spend a fair amount of time in our seminars talking about how best to use apparatus coming to your water supply operation. Folks are generally most familiar with the mutual aid rigs that they commonly run with. It is that once-every-couple years, large-scale tanker shuttle operation where folks can encounter water haulers with which they are unfamiliar. We always say that "you get a pass" the ... (Full Story & Photos)

During the first week of December 2025, we completed another bridge mount dry fire hydrant installation for the Clarendon (Vermont) Volunteer Fire Department. Back in 2017, we installed one of our first systems in Vermont; that one was located on Walker Mountain Road in Clarendon. The 2025, installation involved a bridge privately owned by Casella Construction along Route 133. The unique challenge ... (Full Story & Photos)

Congratulations to the folks at the South Salem Fire District in Westchester County, New York on completing another dry fire hydrant installation. In January 2013, we completed a comprehensive water supply study/ assessment for the fire district. Since then, the fire district and fire department have worked hard to make improvements to their fire protection water supplies; they developed a plan and ... (Full Story & Photos)