HOSELINE SAFETY
RANDOM THOUGHTS ON
THE BASICS MAKE or break the firefighting operation. The basics (or lack of them) also cause injuries on the fireground. This month, I want to share some thoughts with you that may reduce injuries during the extinguishment function: hoseline operations. As always, I’m not saying that I know the best way to operate—but I do have a good idea where some of these injuries are coming from.
Position of the nozzle control handle (bail): Do you have a practice of checking it at the start of a tour or as you assume the position of nozzleman at the hose load? Many times we can lx* caught by quick water at the wrong location, or worse —with someone in front of us. An unknown, open nozzle combined with the “surprise” of unplanned nozzle reaction can cause many types of injuries. Get in the habit of slamming the control forward — closed —every time you touch the nozzle to begin a stretch.
Size of the hose: This is to be selected after an effective size-up. Some departments lay this responsibility at the feet of the company officer, but we all know the realities of operations as the first-arriving unit. Hie hose lay selected should be able to do effective combat with the size of the “devil” we know is within the structure. We should not be surprised or forced to back out or have to depend on a second line to continue the attack. Why is it we usually select a hoseline that’s one size smaller than the tire that awaits us? We’ve all seen photographs of the 1 1/2or 1 3/4-inch hoselines stretched into the fully involved supermarket.
Short stretches: We receive many manuscripts that relate how an effective interior attack was mounted, only to find that 150 feet of hose was too short to complete extinguishment of the 230-footdeep building. Preconnects and mattydales are fine, except if they are used automatically for all fire operations. Do we always check the depth of the structure, count floors, or “always” plan for a stairwell’s presence before we decide on the amount of hose lengths necessary for the stretch? Short stretches wreak havoc and escalate injuries throughout the fire building.
An effective advancing hoseline must be just that—able to advance as rapidly as possible. Leaving additional hose in balls or knots at the entrance is a sure way to get in trouble. Likewise, lack of concern in stretching additional hoselines may tie up the first. The second or third line must be laid out so as not to impede the progress of an advancing one. Laying extra hose in an adjacent apartment or out of a hallway window will work nicely. Stretching more than two hoselines up the same staircase will always cause problems for everyone.
Entering fire occupancies with uncharged lines: Injuries are caused by overcrowding. If or when the fire causes a strategic retreat (momentary’ back-out) there are just too many people to get the message. Recently, in a major urban center. this practice almost caused the death of a number of firefighters. The dry line was stretched deep into the first-floor hall. The tire, on more than one floor, flashed over at the exact moment that the entrance door shut over the dry, flat hoseline. Water started and “locked” the doorway shut. With no water, and unable to rise above the floor to force exit, the firefighters prepared to burn. Sharp-eyed members from the third-arriving ladder company noticed a gloved hand under the front door where the missing saddle should have been and performed the necessary forcible entry to save the trapped firefighters. There is usually no reason for firefighters responsible for the hose stretch to be in the fire occupancy with an uncharged line.
Indiscriminate use of fog patterns in occupied structures: First, without adequate horizontal ventilation behind the fire, serious burn injuries result from the heat and flame being forced back over and around the advancing hose team. Secondly, and more important, what about the life hazard at the rear of the fire—those located behind the fire you’re advancing on? Sure, you’re very comfortable, but what about them? What about the firefighters who have entered through windows or alternate entrances to make a primary search for them? Advancing fog nozzles under these conditions will push all the killing heat and flames into their location. Communication at best and straight-stream in the least will prevent painful injuries or worse to those located at the “rear” of the fire.
Freelancing is always harmful: If done by those in control of hoselines, it can be fatal. A successful, effective interior attack must be controlled and ctxxdinated. Without those two qualities, we’re inviting additional injuries. Sticking fog nozzles (or worse, high-pressure lines) into windows while human beings (firefighters) are within the structure will invariably break down the successful attack and definitely cause preventable injuries.
