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 of the dump valve or dump chute on tankers marked a significant improvement for many fire departments. In rural areas, numerous individuals experimented with ways to enhance the dump chute concept, resulting in a variety of homemade solutions. Most of these local efforts proved to be quite successful.

The photos in this story feature the Boulevard Volunteer Fire Department's tanker in Montana, which was originally an old fuel hauler. It is equipped with a side dump chute, showcasing the kind of local craftsmanship that has helped improve water transport capabilities for fire operations.