This story highlights an unanticipated consequence of the economic recession with potentially severe implications for firefighting strategy and tactics.
Furthermore, it reinforces the old adage to “expect the unexpected” and take nothing for granted during an emergency incident.
Without reopening the “fog versus smoothbore” nozzle debate (for the record, I don’t think there’s a simple answer to that question), it’s important to recognize the potential impact of fire protection system degradation, occurring for any number of reasons, on hose and appliance selection, as well as for strategic/tactical decisionmaking.
If you can’t get the required fire flow where it’s needed in a timely fashion, all bets are off.
Stay safe!