Apparatus Positioning

A follower of StreetSmart sent this drawing in of a recent fire (E1 represents the first in, E2 second in etc.).  As you can see the engine companies took the front of the address and the ladders were boxed out to the side.  I was not at this fire and I don't know exactly how it all happened, this is just the end result.

This fire, along with previous fire where the engines took the front of the address, started a lot of discussion at my station on ways to improve our positioning.  The general thought in our department is to get the engines moved down to give the front of the address to the first in ladder.

The picture below shows a fire that happened after the discussion.  The first in engine pulled past the house viewing all three sides.  The second in engine pulled passed the first in engine leaving the front of the house open (1st and 2nd engines go straight to the scene in our department).  The truck pulled in front of the house.  The third in engine (water supply) came to the scene and pulled 200' of 5" to a hydrant.  The second ladder had to park about three houses down.  The rescue parked down the street with the 4th in engine.

 

View facing east

View facing west

In general this is what we look for in positioning apparatus at a house fire but every situation can be improved upon.  What could have been done better?  How would your department have handled this situation?