An announcement from the Knox-Center Township Fire Department shared that the department has upgraded its equipment after almost two years of research and planning.
The department stated that it now has a four-inch supply hose, which is a change officials say was chosen after considering the department’s response area, available manpower and other factors.
Engine 10 will now carry 800 feet of the four-inch hose in a split-bed configuration. For incidents requiring lower water flow, firefighters can deploy the full 800 feet. When greater water flow is needed, crews can deploy two four-inch supply lines for up to 400 feet.
According to the department, the dual-line setup provides the hydraulic equivalent of a six-inch hose and can provide a flow of nearly 2,500 gallons of water per minute when necessary.
The department has also added a Task Force Tips Oasis Hydrant Assist valve. The equipment allows a later-arriving fire engine to connect to the water supply system and boost pressure when additional water volume is needed.
Engine 10 and Squad 10 have also each been equipped with a 300-foot, two-inch preconnected attack line. The department stated that the new lines can provide a flow of 240 gallons per minute, and are intended to serve as larger attack lines during residential fires.
The announcement said that these equipment upgrades are part of the department’s ongoing efforts to improve their firefighting capabilities.
The announcement thanks Dunny’s Pump Service and Mercedes Textiles for assisting the department during the transition.
