Saving Lives & Protecting Property
Summary: The viral reel showing firefighters using bowling pins for water supply ops sparked major curiosity for good reason. They’re cheap, ergonomic, and float. But that’s just the surface. In the full episode with Andy Soccodato of The Water Thieves, he breaks down not only why bowling pins work, but how to think differently about field solutions, tool improvisation, and smooth water movement at the dump tank.
That reel discussing creative ways to use a bowling pin on the rural fireground? It clocked 1.9 million views — and climbing. That’s not because people suddenly care about retro sports gear. It’s because Andy Soccodato, founder of The Water Thieves, casually dropped a six-reason breakdown that shed light on the smart tactical usage of a goofy-looking image.
Firefighters are always looking for gear that works, lasts, and doesn’t eat up the budget. Enter the humble bowling pin.
According to Andy, you can pick them up from a local alley for dirt cheap — sometimes free if they’re banged up. But it’s not just about the price.
Andy’s list of reasons hit hard:
They’re cheap: Used pins are practically giveaways.
Ergonomic grip: The design makes it easy to swing even in tight spaces.
Balanced weight: The top-heavy shape helps with controlled impact.
Forgiving connection: Even if your strike is off, you’re still making contact.
They float: If dropped in a water source, they won’t disappear on you.
They fight whirlpools: Tossed into a dump tank, they help prevent vortex formation.
In under 60 seconds, Andy flipped a novelty into a functional asset — and the internet took notice.
That reel just scratched the surface. The full podcast episode with Andy Soccodato (E9) is where things really start flowing.
Andy unpacks two of the most misunderstood but game-changing strategies: intake-to-intake pumping (hint: it’s not “stealing water”) and the above-ground loop that can turn a single hydrant into a high-flow supply for multiple engines. He breaks down how to feed your second engine without starving your first, how to read your intake gauge for residual pressure, and why setting up a loop might be the smartest thing you do with that fourth engine.
Oh, and the bowling pin? That’s just the warm-up. The real story behind that mallet hack is only one of many tactical nuggets in this episode.
Watch Episode 9 of the Fully Involved Podcast for the full breakdown of water supply tactics, gear smarts, and training tips your crew can use next shift.