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Comment by Dustin J. Millis on May 25, 2009 at 6:00am

Not sure what a parade load is. Are you talking about a vertical hose lay? We lay our hose flat with no cover and have never had a problem with it falling off.

Comment by FETC on May 20, 2009 at 8:17pm

A parade load is neat clean and square. No crossing of the folds and when you stand back it appears that each piece of folded hose is directly on top of the one below, (looks like the hose is stacked straight up even though they are all weaved and connected.

Rain guard... never heard that one, We use a hose bed cover, (heavy duty cover with either hooks or velcro to protect the hose, and more importantly keep it in the bed.

Comment by S. Trotter on May 19, 2009 at 1:50pm

thanks for the comments and great discussion. When I go back on duty this week I plan on getting some good pictures to illustrate everything talked about here. Pre-mature (and very undesirable) hose deployments have happened in many departments of every size. How embarrassing, costly AND avoidable. C'mon everyone pride and service in all that we do, whenever we do it, 3pm or 3am. Be safe, because you did it right, then smile all the way home!

Comment by Avery Dale on May 19, 2009 at 12:19pm

Same here Billy, we had a crosslay get blown off the truck by high winds while responding to an MVA on the interstate. Didn't even realize we where dragging 250' of 1.5" line for 5+ miles till we got to the scene and saw it laid out. Needless to say we had to buy a new nozzell and about 100' of hose. If it had been covered this would not have happened. Thank goodness it was about 3am and traffic was almost non-existant. Also, same truck backing down a steep driveway from a fire, came to a sudden stop and all 2,000' of 2.5" supply line shifted about 2 foot off the bed. Let's just say when we got back to the station our rookies got a good lesson in hose deployment and bed lays.

Comment by BillySFCVFD on May 19, 2009 at 11:49am

ST,

Are you saying that the hoses in the beds should be laid and folded sharply for protection from the elements at all times(thus Parade Load) and be covered so as they are not prematurely deployed and not covered to show them off during parades only?

Either way I agree. I assisted another VFD in laying a LDH on the top bed of their engine after a MA scene. During that time I asked the other VFD if we are covering the load when finished. The response I recieved was " I think so after we get back to the station". I thought to myself, Oh well they're big boys and girls and know better. Well about two weeks later that VFD was responding and sure and behold that hose was caught in the wind and over 300' of LDH now laid on the highway. The saddest part was the responding unit found out from the dispatcher informing them that a citizen called it in. TCSS

Comment by Brian Dumser on May 18, 2009 at 8:43pm

I've never heard of a "parade load", got any pictures?