What is a supply line?

What is a supply line?

• A. Hose that goes from the engine to the hydrant
• B. Hose that goes from hydrant to the engine
• C. Hose used to drain water
• D. Hose used for decontamination

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that a supply line is the large hose used to bring water from a water source into the fire engine’s pump so it can pressurize and supply attack lines. In this training, the supply line is described as a hose that connects the engine to the hydrant, since the engine’s pump needs to be connected to the hydrant to draw water into the system. Even though water flows from the hydrant to the pump, the hose is attached to the engine, which is why it’s described as going from the engine to the hydrant. This distinguishes it from hoses used to drain water or for decontamination, which are not about supplying the pump with water.

The main idea is that a supply line is the large hose used to bring water from a water source into the fire engine’s pump so it can pressurize and supply attack lines. In this training, the supply line is described as a hose that connects the engine to the hydrant, since the engine’s pump needs to be connected to the hydrant to draw water into the system. Even though water flows from the hydrant to the pump, the hose is attached to the engine, which is why it’s described as going from the engine to the hydrant. This distinguishes it from hoses used to drain water or for decontamination, which are not about supplying the pump with water.