Rick Lasky
Chief
Coeur d`Alene (ID) Fire Department
Response: We have had very good success using both 134- and 212-inch hose in the fire attack. A while back, we replaced 112-inch hose with 134-inch. Currently, our hose loads are set up using five-inch for our supply lines and 134-inch and 212-inch for attack lines; we carry a wildland setup.
One difficulty we experienced with our 212-inch hose was taken care of by changing nozzles. This one particular attack line was made up of 200 feet of 212-inch hose preconnected to a rear discharge and finished with a 250-gpm combination nozzle. This line was referred to as the “blitz” line. Many fire departments use this same type of setup and also call it a blitz line. When asked to define the term “blitz line,” and its uses, most departments explain that it is used for a quick, hard, heavy hit on a fire–aka a blitz attack. When asked about its success or how often they use it, they usually tell you they don`t use it often because it`s difficult to maneuver because of the pressure needed and because it takes too many firefighters to staff it.
With those answers, you would wonder why they do not change the nozzle to a smooth-bore, maybe with a 114-inch tip, or consider using a low-pressure combination nozzle that flows 300 gpm at 75 psi. This would provide a lot more water at a re-duced nozzle pressure, thereby making maneuvering the line easier, which would result in its being pulled and used more often. We are in the process of evaluating this load and will be changing it in the near future.
Our 134-inch hose loads are set up in the following fashion:
one crosslay of 134-inch, 100 feet, with a combination nozzle (we are currently evaluating our nozzles on these loads).
one crosslay of 134-inch, 150 feet, with a combination nozzle.
one crosslay of 134-inch, 200 feet, with a combination nozzle.
one bundle pack (high-rise/standpipe pack) of 134-inch, 150 feet, with a combination nozzle.
Our 212-inch hose loads are set up in the following way:
one bed with 500 feet of 212-inch, with a wye (212-inch to 134-inch).
one bed with 500 feet of 212-inch.
Our department has chosen this particular setup as the one that will best suit our future needs–one that, when some nozzles are changed, will be easy to use and will supply the water we need, providing us with continued success in using 134- and 212-inch lines.
