In many heavily industrial departments areas and districts ran like this well past into the recent past.. Traditions? Oh yeah, this is straight out of the steamer and hose wagon operations days... The Engine company consisted ofa "hose wagon/Pumper and a Pumper some places both were class a pumps ,, why bother you ask? Topic of discussion..?
The House turns out 2 double engines and the tiller
We in LAFD still use the 2 engine/pump operations. but now it goes fromt the hydrant to pump to engine to hose line!!!! bringing the pressure way up and helping us put the fire our quicker