In complexes with private hydrants, the third arriving engine should stage where?

• A. At the nearest private hydrant inside the complex
• B. In front of the building
• C. On a municipal hydrant outside the complex
• D. Back in the street

Answer: (C)

When a complex has private hydrants, you still need a reliable, outside water source to support ongoing operations and keep internal access clear. The third arriving engine should stage at a municipal hydrant outside the complex so it can establish a separate water supply (or relay) without tying up or relying solely on the private system inside the complex. This provides redundancy, reduces congestion inside the complex, and keeps the private hydrants available for initial actions. Staging inside the complex or directly in front of the building can hamper access and may not offer the best external water supply, while backing into the street doesn’t guarantee a stable outside source.