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Food for Thought: Pump Pressures for Attack Lines

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Becoming a driver/operator can be a fairly intimidating step in one’s career.  No matter how much training and/or experience you had as a firefighter, the pressure of being the one responsible for the safety of an attack crew causes some to question what they know is right.

Over the past few years, I have discussed the following question numerous times with driver/operators of varying experience levels.  I am going to share the question, and my answer/opinion, with you.  Please feel free to share your thoughts.

The question is…

When pumping an attack line, should the operator pump what they are supposed to have by the numbers (length, size, flow, friction loss) or give them enough to start with (so as not to “beat up” the crew) and rely on radio communications to adjust?

My answer/opinion is…

Give them what the numbers say they are supposed to have.  It is the pump operator’s job to make sure that the attack crew has what they are supposed to have because…

  • The safety and trust of the attack crew rests with their confidence in the operator to get them the water they need, when they need it.
  • Radios are usually the weakest link in the fireground communications process and are unreliable for numerous reasons.
  • Line size, length and nozzle selection is based on the numbers
  • Neither the attack officer nor the IC can determine the effectiveness of the attack if they are not putting the CORRECT gpm on the fire to begin with.
  • Any reductions in flow could/should indicate a kink in the line, burst or damaged section, or mechanical problem with the pump. It should never be a result of operator error.

Though noble is theory, the most common reasoning I’ve heard behind lower pressures initially is to make it easier on the attack crew.  However, there is a fundamental breakdown with this theory.  If the nozzle firefighter cannot handle the nozzle, it may be due to lack of training, improper nozzle positioning (i.e. pistol grips), lack of adequate backup on the line or any combination of these.

Though it’s drivers who usually bring up the question of attack line pressure, the issue is really  brought about by firefighters who express concern about nozzle pressure (having too much).  I stand by my opinion and would encourage crews to practice nozzle tactic training, especially the teamwork between the nozzle and backup firefighters.  Most fires are controlled with the first attack line.  There is also a cliche that “as the first line goes, so goes the fire.”  With that being said, let’s get it right the first time and take the fight to the fire.

Below are a few links to give you some training ideas.

Thanks and Be SAFE


Video from Brotherhood Instructors- Engine Company Ops

Article/Post from Traditions Training- “Play Like You Practice…”

Posted in Engine Work, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, Training & Development

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23 comments Posted by safefirefighter on July 12, 2010

BTFD Standpipe Hose Pack Demo

A few months ago, a group of Bluffton firefighters was asked to re-evaluate the Bluffton Township Fire District’s “high-Rise Packs”.  They were tasked with creating a standardized and cost-effective portable hose pack system that is user friendly, flexible and meets the current needs and future demands of the ever growing and changing fire district.

The group has been busy discussing, researching and testing many hose and nozzle configurations, holding a couple of dealer demos and having a standpipe prop developed for realistic and mobile standpipe training during both research and throughout implementation and ongoing training.  We have narrowed down the configurations with the following considerations in mind:

Bluffton typically (99.9% of the time) uses hose packs to extend handlines at large-house fires and brush fires

Bluffton has no high rises as defined by building code.  As such,  drastic friction loss is not a major problem and Pressure reducing valves are not used (we still considered reducing nozzle pressures and the limitations of fire pumps)

The Multi-story commercial and hotel occupancies that we do have are all built to current or recent code, well protected and well compartmented (usually with block or metal stud walls and concrete ceilings)

Current (typical) hose packs are cumbersome to store and use as well as not very adaptable to our primary needs.

We need a standard nozzle configuration that is user friendly and versatile.

NOTE: The nozzle we are testing is a Task Force Tips Break-apart nozzle with and 200+ gpm @ 50 psi, 1” smooth bore tip integrated into the shutoff and a 150 gpm @ 75 psi fog tip with a separate integrated twist shutoff.  This offers standard water for our standard uses and bigger water if you need it.  You can also extend the line at the main shutoff and use the fog tip on the extended section.

Recently, the BTFD conducted live fire training and focused on standpipe operations.  the crews were encouraged to used the standpipe packs currently in- service on their rigs.  Once they finished their scenarios, members of the Hose Pack Committee gave a demo of the leading configuration that we are looking at.  Unfortunately some people missed the demo, so the above video is for them and everyone else.  On behalf of the hose pack committee, we appreciate everyone’s feedback and look forward to the implementation phase.

Hopefully, we’ll get some video of the nozzle operating and extending lines and post some pics and video later on.

A special thanks to the Hose Pack Committee (Jason Brahm, Shawn Fitzpatrick, Jeff Laszig and Matt McDowell), Carolina Fire Control for the development and donation of the standpipe prop, the Marine Corps Air Station Fire Department for the use of their burn building and to the members of the Bluffton Township Fire District for your dedication.

FTM-PTB and Be Safe

Video soundtracks: “Lowrider” by War, “Sleep now in the fire” by Rage against the machine & “All My Life” by Foo Fighters

Posted in Engine Work, News and New Stuff

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No comments Posted by safefirefighter on April 24, 2009

Fire Attack: Nozzle Firefighter Basics

Once you’ve scene the video from the “Straight Stream vs. Fog” post (January 13, 2009), you may have a new appreciation for using a straight stream during interior fire attack.  Next we’ll look at a few ways to make the interior fire attack more safe and effective from entry to ventilation.

We’re going to start at the door to the fire room.  Once you find the fire room and are able to make entry, you may need to close the door to double check your stream shape, give your crew time to back you up, make sure you have enough line to advance and finish the attack or get water (in a MFD or commercial) situation.  Once you open the door, everyone should stay low and let the smoke, heat and fire blow off prior to making entry.  In other words “stay low and let it blow”.

Once you make entry, get out of the doorway and inside the room preferably on or near a wall.  However, don’t go past the point of no return.  “The point of no return inside a doorway is the point beyond which there is no escape if the room flashes over.” (Vincent Dunn, Deputy Chief FDNY (ret.), April, May June 2005 Newsletter).

Now you’re inside the room, on the wall and ready to make your attack.  A great method for a safe fire attack is the “5-sided Fire Attack”.  This type of attack covers everything for controlling and/or advancing on a fire.  The fives sides include the ceiling (1), sidewalls (2&3), directly ahead (4) and the floor in front of you (5).  You can accomplish a 5-sided fire attack with either the “O” or “Z” combination patterns.  It is particularly important to hit the ceiling FIRST and to sweep the floor in front BEFORE advancing.

You have to cool the upper atmosphere to minimize steam and give victims the best chance for survival.  Then, by sweeping the floor with the stream, you can cool any embers, “wash away” debris and hear water falling through holes in the floor.

Once the fire is knocked, another forgotten tactic is for the nozzle firefighter to hydraulically ventilate the fire area (if possible).  This is especially important today since so many FD are understaffed and exterior truck work is slow to be accomplished.  Once the fire is out, the only thing left to kill victims is the heat, smoke and steam.  So hydraulically ventilate and GET IT OUT!

Now that the fire is under control, it’s cooler and everyone can see, now all we have to do is overhaul and critique the fire.

Remember the basics!  The only thing that is scarcer than fighting fire is being on the nozzle when fires happen.  The only thing you can do train and be ready.

FTM-PTB and Be Safe

Posted in Engine Work

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No comments Posted by safefirefighter on January 25, 2009

Straight Stream vs. Fog: A Visual Aid

Among one of the greatest, and most historic debates in the fire service is the use of smooth bore versus fog nozzles.  What’s better and/or safer etc.?  A byproduct of that debate is hose stream selection for fire attack.  The question is, do you use a wide fog pattern, a narrow fog (a.k.a. power cone) or a straight (or solid) stream for offensive interior fire attack?  Watch this video and form your own conclusions.

At a recent training burn, great video was taken of many different people making interior attacks on pretty hot room and contents fires (nice, hot, smoky and confined areas where victims like to wait for us).  Jeff Kuehn, a firefighter and free-lance photographer created the video and provided great feedback on the conditions that he experienced as a “spectator” inside a room and contents fire.

Some points to ponder:

  1. During the video, pay particular attention to the knockdown time and visibility.  In the first attack, visibility never really changes and knockdown is very quick.
  2. You should always check your stream shape either during charging (you have to bleed the air anyway) and/or before making entry into fire area.
  3. With a straight stream, cool the ceiling first, this will cool the upper atmosphere and help to limit steam production.  Hitting the base first can “swirl” the thermal layering and push the heat to the floor (ask Jeff).

A special thanks to Jeff Kuehn for use of the video and for taking so many great pictures.

Check out more of Jeff’s stuff at www.jeffkuehn.com

FTM-PTB and Be Safe

Posted in Engine Work

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No comments Posted by safefirefighter on January 13, 2009