Hoses

NFS (London Region) water relay exercise, WW2

The Blitz had shown the vital importance of securing a good water supply and the dire consequences when it failed. NFS London firefighters practised large scale exercises securing a water supply and relaying, or delivering, that water to the crews at the fire. Here lines of hose are directed back into the river (an imaginary fire) having been fed by the water supplied from the same river. The exercise was undertaken at Ordnance Wharf, Blackwall, East London.

© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library

NFS Home Office hose tests, Wimbledon, WW2

London Region NFS/AFS firefighter assisting in Home Office trials to improve water delivery systems to emergency dams and onto fires after the fire service was nationalised in August 1941. London Region covered what is now the Greater London area and included all the London Fire Brigade and Middlesex fire brigade area, plus the Borough and County Borough Brigades surrounding London. Parts of Kent, Essex and Surrey were also incorporated into the London Region.

© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library

NFS Home Office hose tests, Wimbledon, WW2

London Region NFS/AFS firefighter assisting in Home Office trials to improve water delivery systems to emergency dams and onto fires after the fire service was nationalised in August 1941. London Region covered what is now the Greater London area and included all the London Fire Brigade and Middlesex fire brigade area, plus the Borough and County Borough Brigades surrounding London. Parts of Kent, Essex and Surrey were also incorporated into the London Region.

© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library