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.

1. Know your equipment: your hoseloads, nozzles, etc.
2. Know the strengths and weaknesses of your hoseloads (i.e. triple stacks are not great for stairs)
3. Make sure everyone knows their role within the crew
4. 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.
5. 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

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…”

The following is an article contributed by Chris Garniewicz, a Truck Captain for the Bluffton Township Fire District.  He was the first due truck officer at the following incident and these are his accounts and lessons learned from that fire:

On September 11^th, 2009 at 2107 hours, Bluffton Fire responded to a reported (building) fire at 154 Bluffton Road.  While companies were enroute, Dispatch advised there were multiple calls for the fire.  The first due company was delayed, so the truck and the second due engine arrived first together with the Battalion Chief.  A thermal column was seen on approach, and on arrival there was heavy smoke pushing from the eaves and doors of a 5000 square foot, 13-unit storage facility.  Apparatus positioning was a challenge, due to very narrow and obstructed driveways, requiring the engine to position on the Alpha side for fire attack while the truck positioned on the Charlie/Delta corner and split crews, establishing two forcible entry teams.

The building was type 2B construction, with no fire stops between units (overhaul revealed an approximately 6” gap at ceiling level, allowing fire and heat to spread between all units).  Due to the mixture of combustibles within the units, the smoke was thick and dark.  First arriving companies identified the unit of origin by the warping and discoloration of the steel doors and metal siding.

The decision was made by the engine officer to aggressively attack the unit of origin, then the units on all sides working out from the fire.  Truck crews were assigned to open all the doors to facilitate attack and overhaul. During forcible entry operations, truck members were met with a few challenging lock configurations and locations.  The number of locks and lock types created a time issue.  As a result, crews decided to cut the door instead of wasting time with removing multiple locks.

In order to access the fire units and exposure units quickly, the truck crew initially made “A” cuts to allow for knockdown, then came back during overhaul and made full height and width horizontal cuts to allow safer operations within the units.  The initial cut into the fire units allowed the engine crew to stop the fire spread rapidly and minimize damage to the other units. In all, 13 overhead doors were cut and/or forced and the fire was extinguished with two handlines. The aggressive tactics and coordinated efforts of the companies allowed for a large

and challenging fire to be contained to the area of origin,

Sizing up commercial building for forcible entry problems gives companies a heads up when faced with a fire like that at Taylor Warehouse.  Crews were able to make decisions that allowed for quick access and a good stop.  Like anything in the fire service, we can’t be proficient at something we don’t practice.  Take out the saws, find something to cut (scrap, old locks, etc.) and know what you are capable of accomplishing prior to the emergency.

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

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