Integrating Engine Company Skills In Training Is Key to Success at Fires

Integrating Engine Company Skills In Training Is Key to Success at Fires

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Many fire departments center their training programs on particular skills or evolutions. For example, a typical drill program would consist of driver training, layout from a hydrant, advancing an attack line, and other specific evolutions. Skills such as appliance operation, pump operation, and hose maintenance are also taught separately.

The major problem arises because these skills are not taught and practiced as an integrated system. Yet, that is the key to successful fireground operations of an engine company. Certainly it is true that practice of the individual pieces is necessary, but so is a course in putting all of these pieces together in a coherent program.

The discussion which follows outlines one possible approach to a training program in engine company operations. It is not a panacea nor is it the only approach to solving the problem. It just happens to be the way we tackled the issue.

The instruction must also include safety as a prime topic of the program. Rather than list it as a separate topic, however, the theme should be woven through all of the subject areas. Instructors must stress the need for careful operations at every level. Such things as nozzle reaction, pump operation, burst lines, and weight must be mentioned in the appropriate places.

Areas of responsibility

There are two distinct areas of concern for an engine company on the fireground. The pumper operator is concerned with establishing a sufficient water supply to meet the demands of the situation. On the other hand, the officer and crew are responsible for making the fire attack. Obviously, the two techniques must be worked together, for if the officer decides a flow of 500 gpm is necessary, but the pump operator is not prepared to establish that much flow, a problem has developed.

The training program has to cover all of the responsibilities of engine company personnel. However, instructors should not turn the program into a pumps and hydraulics course. That material is better left to a separate program.

In this section of the class, the instructor must clearly identify the role that the engine company will play at the incident. An explanation of each of the tasks to be performed will aid in establishing the frame of reference. Responsibilities of the engine company include:

1. Hose layout from source to fire or fire to source.
2. Establishment of a continuing water supply from a pressure or static source. This includes tanker operations where necessary.
3. Specific positions to be taken at the incident (attack pumper, water supply, supplement to built-in protection system, rear position, exposure protection, etc.) based upon conditions found on arrival on the scene.
4. Rescue, attack on the fire, and protection of exposures, using standard evolutions, based upon the decision of the officer.

Water supply

The initial establishment of a water supply is a critical item for the engine company. Students are taught the advantages and disadvantages of forward, reverse, and split lays. Operational procedures at the hydrant are reviewed so that personnel become familiar with the available options. The students learn the standard procedures for use of the Humat valve and 2 1/2-inch gates. A review of the techniques used for estimating the water available at the hydrant is also covered in the class.

The use of static sources is discussed, as well as specific limitations which occur when drafting. Such things as the effect of atmospheric pressure, water temperature, size of pumper, tightness of the pump, and distance from the source are all covered from a tactical decision-making point of view.

Engine Company Training Course

1. Responsibility of the engine company
2. Getting water to the scene
3. Hose line placement
1. Interior
2. Exterior
3. Back-up lines
4. Built-in fire protection system
5. Water supply system
6. Overhaul
7. Final exam

The use of tankers, portable tanks, and the establishment of a shuttle system are included in the training program. Emphasis is placed on the techniques needed for establishing this as a consistent water source during the incident. The students are reminded that setting up a tanker shuttle requires a great deal of coordination and the time to start the planning process is during the training program.

Finally, the use of a pumper relay is discussed. If the water source (pressure or static) is remote from the incident, the engine companies must he prepared to establish a relay. As with the tanker operations, the exact procedures are covered in the training classes so that they can be organized quickly at the scene. If just one engine company is unfamiliar with the way to set up and operate in a relay, the entire system breaks down.

Attack line assists rescue

The initial decision of the officer of the engine company is to place the attack line to assist with rescue. This requires coordination with the truck company as well as other units operating at the scene. For departments without a truck company, standard operating procedures have to be developed so that engine company personnel perform the tasks related to rescue. These include entry and search responsibilities.

The student must be taught specific search procedures, rescue techniques, and department policies regarding the areas of responsibilities for the first, second, and third arriving engine companies. With policies worked out in advance, the fire fighters are able to proceed quickly and efficiently to perform any required rescue.

Another discussion which must be included when covering hose placements involves getting lines into the interior of the building. Each department should have standard loads for attack lines on all their apparatus. The officer can then select the size and length of hose which the size-up has indicated witll accomplish the job.

In addition to covering department hose loads, the student should also be exposed to other techniques so that changes and improvements can be made. The advantages and limitations of the various size hose lines must be discussed with the students. The ease of handling, flows necessary, and lengths needed to do the job must all be part of the curriculum.

The class should include the techniques for packing, stretching, advancing, and utilizing hose lines. In addition, the instructor must cover the types of nozzles (constant flow, variable flow, automatic tip, and straight tip) and the tactical considerations which go into selecting one over the other.

The use and need for special purpose devices must also be included. These would be devices such as distributors, foam nozzles, applicators, and cellar nozzles. The student should make a survey of the department’s special water flow devices to find out such things as water flow and operating pressure. This will help to make efficient use of them on the fireground.

Learn how fire extends

During an interior attack, engine company personnel must also be aware of possible extension of the fire. This means that fire travel must be anticipated and the student taught what to expect. The course should cover some basics on building construction, including terms used. Concealed spaces and attic construction should also be a part of the curriculum.

Exterior attack usually involves large flows which are handled from fixed devices. Again, as in the discussion of interior attack, the types of exterior lines must be included in the course. Such things as ladder pipes, monitor nozzles, and other master stream devices have to be discussed. The various nozzles, their flows, and back pressure problems must be included in the curriculum.

Tactical considerations such as the potential for damage from the excess weight of the water, the personnel needed to set up and operate the devices, and the required water supply all are involved in the operation of the engine company. The course also should require that the students set up standard procedures for the use and operation of the master stream devices so they can be placed in operation quickly.

Exterior attack also involves the protection of exposures. So, in this portion of the class, the student must learn about the types of heat transfer which can spread the fire and the techniques for reducing this heat. The fire fighters must know how much heat is generated, how much water is necessary to reduce this heat, and how to apply the water effectively.

No matter how many lines are in operation, back-up lines are necessary. Because of the dangerous situations which engine companies work under, a malfunction of engine or hose lines or the rapid expansion of the fire can create a life-threatening problem quickly. Engine company crews must, therefore, be prepared to move rapidly to protect civilians, fire fighting personnel and property.

To be prepared, the engine company course should cover:

1. Standard procedures for size and type of back-up lines based upon the amount in use at the incident.
2. Responsibility for getting the back-up lines in position and manned.
3. Standard procedures for ensuring that sufficient water supply is available to handle the back-up lines.

Built-in fire protection

There are many types of built-in fire protection systems. Some of these require supplemental support by the engine company (standpipes and sprinkler systems, for example). Others, however, operate independent of any outside support. (These include halogen, carbon dioxide, and dry chemical systems.)

Engine company personnel must be familiar with the various systems used in their area. In this way they will know if supplemental support is necessary and the location of any connections. The only way to get this information is by preplanning commercial facilities.

The course should cover the need for preplanning from the engine company viewpoint, operating procedures required at specific facilities, as well as the operating characteristics of standpipes and sprinkler systems. The instructor, though, must not get into a detailed discussion of the different types of systems. Remember, the student is an engine company person and not a fire protection engineer. Separate courses on sprinkler and standpipe systems should be conducted.

Supplying the water

The heart of any engine company operation is its water supply. Engine company personnel must be familiar with the pressure system which provides the water. The course curriculum should include:

1. Description of the overall water supply, including water source and pump stations and their locations.
2. Description of the amount of water available in various sections of the jurisdiction and the development of fireground procedures for the most effective use of the water supply by the pumpers.
3. Areas and times of peak demand from non-fire service use.
4. Map showing main sizes.
5. Any markings of hydrants which indicate available flow.
6. Description of routine maintenance performed on the system.
7. Procedures for notifying engine company personnel of water supply problems in a specific area.

Engine company overhaul

When a fire fighter thinks of overhaul, it usually involves exposing concealed spaces to check for extension of the fire. However, in the context of this course it means:

1. Checking and wetting down hot spots which the truck company has exposed. (If a department doesn’t have a truck company, then the engine company performs both functions of opening and wetting down.)
2. Picking up supply lines to open streets and only keeping those companies on the scene that are absolutely needed. Another possibility is to connect the hand lines directly to the hydrant to free an engine company.

Depending on the procedures of the invidiual department, the overhaul portion of the class covers the responsibilities detailed above. Again, the safety aspect must be stressed because this operation can take place when the personnel are fatigued, are working under adverse weather conditions, and are working in a structure that has had physical damage. Senses and reflexes become dulled and emphasis must be placed on the need for fireground safety.

Final exam

The engine company operations class involves a great deal of learning. A final examination should be prepared to provide the instructors with an indication of the amount of learning which has occurred.

The examination can be either written or practical, or both. Preferably, both techniques should be used so that the student’s ability to perform under simulated conditions can be measured. Practical problems can be set up at a training center, large parking lot, or on an unused back road in the area. Layout, advancing lines to a simulated fire, exposure protection, and instructions to incoming apparatus can all be inserted into the problem. Students can be rotated to different positions.

The written examination can be multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, essay, and problem solving. Depending on the specific subject matter being tested, a combination of all forms could be used.

Finally, do not forget mutual aid companies. If there are students in the class from neighboring departments, include those departments in the testing procedures. Remember, it is very helpful if standard procedures are established with the mutual aid companies. Operating at an incident will be greatly simplified.

Engine company operations are the cornerstone of a successful fireground operation. With a good training program, fire fighters can be prepared to handle an incident safely and efficiently. In addition, with the development of the training class, senior officers are required to develop plans and procedures which are helpful to the entire operation. With careful planning, every department training officer can develop a program which will improve the operation of an engine company on the fireground.