Comprising four evolutions, this week’s drill focuses on developing proficiency in advancing hoselines to upper floors of a structure and extending the lines downstairs to extinguish a simulated basement fire.
The drill is best conducted at a fire training facility as part of a live-fire training drill but can be held at a local building, with the owner’s permission, or at a multistory fire station. You’ll require an engine and truck company and a rescue dummy. Members will wear full gear and breathing apparatus during the drill.
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Evolution 1
A four-person team pulls an attack line from the engine, advances the line up exterior stairs, makes entry, advances the line downstairs to knock down the fire, and backs the line out of the building. -
Evolution 2
The four-person team raises a ground ladder to a wide second-floor window, opens the window, then resets the ladder for entry and advancing a hoseline through the window to the second floor. The team advances the line downstairs to knock down the fire, then backs the line out. -
Evolution 3
The team raises a ground ladder to a narrow second-floor window, positioning the ladder for rescue. Members advance the line through the windows, down the stairs, to knock down the fire. They then back the line out and place the rescue dummy on the ladder for rescue. -
Evolution 4
Members position an aerial ladder to the roof and open a roof vent. Members then position a ground ladder to enter through the roof, then advance an attack line through the roof vent to extinguish the fire.
The debriefing for this drill is based on an Advancing Hoselines Checklist. Howard A. Chatterton includes one with this drill in his Volunteer Training Drills-A Year of Weekly Drills, but you can also create one of your own. The list should have three components: personal safety checks, advancing lines, and fire attack. Before the drill, decide what points of each component you wish to evaluate and place them on the checklist.
As with any drill, discuss what went right, what went wrong, and what to do differently the next time.
If you have a similar drill idea and wish to share it, please e-mail to chrism@pennwell.com.
To review training officer and safety officer considerations, visit http://fe.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=OnlineArticles&SubSection=HOME&PUBLICATION_ID=25&ARTICLE_ID=202453 to review training officer and safety officer considerations.
For more information on this drill, including a list of references and figures, visit http://store.yahoo.com/pennwell/voltraindril.html to purchase Volunteer Training Drills–A Year of Weekly Drills.
