What is a typical number of feet of supply hose for a fire engine to carry?

A fire engine typically carries between 800 to 1250 feet of supply hose. This range is based on standard operational needs; enough hose length is necessary to reach various water sources and effectively supply water to firefighting operations. Fire engines are equipped with this amount of hose to provide flexibility and coverage during emergencies, allowing firefighters to respond to incidents ranging from residential fires to larger commercial or industrial fires.

The amount reflects a balance between the weight and bulk of the hose and the requirement for sufficient firefighting capability. Shorter lengths may not provide adequate reach, especially in situations where the fire is located far from the nearest water supply.

In contrast, options indicating higher numbers like 2000-2500 or 4000-5000 feet would be impractical for standard fire operations, as such amounts would be unwieldy and might exceed what is typically manageable for a fire engine to carry. Those figures are generally beyond standard operational practices, and their weights could hinder maneuverability. The lower range of 250-500 feet would likely prove insufficient for effective firefighting efforts in many scenarios, limiting a fire crew's ability to adequately respond to incidents.