It may surprise you to learn that the West Grove Fire Company uses more than 16,000 feet of hose ranging from the 1" forestry lines up to our 5" large diameter supply hose. That’s about three miles of hose which is carried on the WGFC fleet: 1 Brush unit, 3 Engines, 1 Rescue Engine, and a Tanker, each carrying a wide variety of fire attack and water supply hose (along with lots of spare hose at each of the three fire stations).

To be sure all of that hose is safe to use and ready for all emergencies, every year the WGFC has all hose inspected and tested to the National Fire Protection Association 1962 standards (Standard for the Care, Use, Inspection, Service Testing, and Replacement of Fire Hose, Couplings, Nozzles, and Fire Hose Appliances).

Testing nearly 3 miles of hose is a complex, day-long operation, because the hose has to be pulled off each truck, hooked to a testing apparatus that fills the hose to test pressure, and then repacked. And that means all trucks have to be brought to a central location from each of our three stations – all while keeping enough equipment and hose in service for any emergency that comes in during the test period. We take great pride in keeping our hose packed and clean to the best of our ability.

This year’s testing took well over 10 hours of unpacking, testing and repacking all the hose. As the hose was emptied from each unit, members and staff worked to layout the hose for testing. After the test was completed, all hose was packed back onto the various units. Several sections of hose failed testing -- this is why we test our hose. The failed sections will be replaced in the near future.

Our thanks to the career and volunteer firefighters who helped make testing successful this year, and for the hard work of the crew from our testing partner, Fire Catt Hose Testing. Our hose testing is just one critical part of how we meet our key goal to be prepared for any emergency.