I was recently on the phone with a friend from a neighboring fire department and we got on the subject of laying in at a structure fire. My department practices first in engine laying in his practices second in engine laying in. I am looking for feed back. I am thinking about reccomending to my department having the second in engine lay in. looking for good feedback.
Our S.O.P. has the second due Engine secure a water supply, however we are given broad lattitude if the first due Engine laying in can ensure a better outcome of the incident. Our County F.D. covers everything from dense urban areas to desolate wilderness. Tactics that may work great where Stations are close together won't always work when your second in Engine is coming fom a distance. Using good judgement should always be rule #1. It also helps to have Chiefs, like ours, that don't have their crews blindly follow the S.O.P.s.