I got 2nd called to an accident. One of our Engines turned off a main road onto the side street heading for a car tree accident. A bystander jumped out in the road, engineer hit the brakes and discovered they were on black ice. Engine did a 180 and backed into the accident vehicle. About 200' of the 1000' of 2-1/2 came out of the hose bed and covered the car. Thank GOD the 1000' of 5" stayed put.

We rolled up with the Squad and fortunately had been warned so we staged up the road a bit. I fell twice walking up and my partner bit it 3x. That was a nasty sheet of ice. We had to pull all the hose off to get to the people in the car. Fortunately minor injuries but pinned in by the fenders overlapping the doors. The Engine hit did minor damage to both as the rear duals jumping curb took a lot of energy out, and explained the hose dump. Unlike tiggers, fire trucks don't like to bounce.

I also recall responding on a crappy night like that sitting in the rear jump seat of the Engine. Our ladder tower (similar to that apparatus) was behind us. I remember reading the name of our department across the ladder behind us and thinking "oh that's not good". The ladder truck did a 90 deg., side slide down the road behind us. Fortunately it was 0300 and no traffic or that would have been really bad.

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I fell twice walking up and my partner bit it 3x. That was a nasty sheet of ice.

They make tire chains for humans too If you don't have a set of ice cleats for your boots you're missing out. They aren't that expensive, and saving you from a single fall is well worth it.

Anybody think the driver controlled thatat all? I think he was along for the ride.

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They make tire chains for humans too

I've used Yaktrax and have found them to be both durable and effective.