Nothing is more fundamental, or important, when extinguishing a fire than stretching an attack line and putting water on the fire. Yet, as fundamental as it is, there are some things to keep in mind that will help keep your attack line moving through a structure and keep you and your crew from having a really bad day.
- Know your equipment: your hoseloads, nozzles, etc.
- Know the strengths and weaknesses of your hoseloads (i.e. triple stacks are not great for stairs)
- Make sure everyone knows their role within the crew
- Spread out on the line. Assign Backup FF and Control FF positions w/ additional manpower. The Backup FF helps the Nozzle FF advance during fire attack. The Control FF stays at (or near) the point of entry, feeds hose from the exterior and chases kinks.
- During the attack and advance on the fire, or whenever necessary, spray the floor ahead of the line to move debris, cool the floor and/or embers and check for “surprises”
These are just a few tips to help keep the line moving and make your attack on the fire a little easier, quicker and safer. If you have any other ideas or suggestions, please feel free to leave your comments.
Thanks and Be SAFE
Also on SAFE Firefighter …
- The Next 100 Feet of the Attack Line – June 8, 2011
- The What, Where & Why of the First Line – December 6, 2010
- What Is Your Favorite Attack Line & Nozzle Setup and Why? – April 18, 2011
- Straight Stream vs. Fog: A Visual Aid – February 16, 2011
Point number one is the biggest. It is amazing how many people still don’t know what nozzles they have, what they flow or what to pump them at. All they know is the old way of pumping everything one pressure, no matter what the line or flow desired.
Point number two I am not sure about. Are you saying the triple layer is not good for interior stairwells where you would use a high rise pack or not good for stairs in general? I am a big proponenant of the triple layer load for crosslays.
Only other thing I will add is to leave the pistol grips on the front trash lines and booster hoses. All they do is promote poor technique when doing interior fire attack.
K.Stokes, thanks for the comments. Regarding the pistol grips, I agree 100%. About the triple layer load for stairs, is my experience that deploying this load can be tricky in tight areas (i.e. cars parked on the street, fences, corners). Also, by its design the majority of the line “falls” at the pump, whereas I personally would rather have it at the front door (or on my shoulder) where I can flake it where I want it.
Also, compared to a flat or minuteman load, where multiple lengths can be carried by the Nozzle FF up stairs and around corners, the triple layer must be dragged or fed up the stairs and/or around corners. Of course a proficient Nozzle FF can make short work of its limitations. Thanks again for the comments and be safe.
I agree that in the situations you listed the triple layer would not be the best bet. In our response area 95 percent of the working fires we go to will be a SFD on a residential street with cars in the driveway. In this scenario the line is pulled to the front door, charged and advanced as needed. This wouldnt ideal for an area that had multiple story units where a dry stretch up stairs was bread and butter.