You are an engine company, not an Italian restaurant.
Despite what hoseload you choose to use, how you configure your hosebed and the number of members arriving as an engine company there is no excuse for spaghetti. It is even made worse when the engine is nosed in or "beached". Your 150' or 200' hoseline is a bundle of kinks at the driver's feet when after positioning on the front yard you may only need two or three lengths at the most. The video below is an example, one of many departments that has positioned poorly and did not stretch the hoseline but grabbed the nozzle and ran for the door.
Being a disciplined and proficient engine company means not simply estimating what hoseline to pull, but knowing how, being able to break it down into fewer lengths if needed. It means that all members act as a company, making sure the first hoseline is free of kinks and properly charged before going to work.
Remember, as the first line goes, so goes the fire. What you may think was a successful knock may just be dumb luck on your part. Do you want to make that the foundation of your engine company?
Bill Carey is the daily news and blog manager for Elsevier Public Safety (FireRescue Magazine/Firefighter Nation, JEMS and LawOfficer sites.) Bill also manages the FireEMSBlogs.com network and is a former volunteer lieutenant with the Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department in Prince George's County, Maryland.
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Also on Backstep Firefighter …
- Kinks. Even a Buff Knows to Chase Them – January 31, 2013
- Shot in the Arm: Boston Engine 33 – July 18, 2012
- Buffalo:
Response, Initial Work Videos – November 16, 2012 - Brooklyn Working: First Due Video from Box 1794 – September 24, 2012
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Bill I will have to say I love the post that aren't very wordy but pack a punch in meaning and delivery. This was simple and well put. I hope you are well. I hope folks will find this as motivation to get off the couch and train.
I have to say and agree poor training and a lazy engineer makes for a bad lay or stretch and how much hose do they have it look like more then 200ft.