its for multistory buildings that don’t have standpipes, it allows 1 length of hose to make it up 5 stories rather than 1. You tie it off once you have enough hose to make it to the fire, so gravity doesn’t bring it down.
Very uneffective way to hold hose at the stair railing by rope. In Russia, we are have a special "hoseholder" (in russian: "рукавная задержка"), which is very simple and quick in use: it's a hook with short rope loop at the end. You do slipknot at the hose and hang up by hook to the railing, and that's it! With regards, russian volunteer firefighter.
Hey Buddy, I wouldn't call it ineffective, I think both methods are effective. Even though I think a smaller rope without a hook is much easier to cary, just put in in one of your bunker pants pockets.
