/IVSTRUCT-O-GRAMJ

ISFSI THE HANDS-ON TRAINING GUIDEFOR THE FIRE INSTRUCTOR

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Init ial Handline DeploymentTRAINING OBJECTIVESI

1. The instructor will teach the importance ofselecting the proper size handline at a structurefire.

2. The proper techniques for rapid deployment andpositioning of the handline will also be taughtduring this lesson.

3. The burn building at the fire training center, or anapproved acquired structure, shall be used topractice deploying different size attack lines forvarious types of structures (second floor bedroom,basement, first floor kitchen, etc.).

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION:Lecture and demonstration

INSTRUCTIONAT AIDS:

Self Contained Breathing Apparatus

Personal Protective Clothing

Fixed facility bum building or an approved acquiredstructure

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES:The student will:

1. Explain the importance of the first handline at astructure fire in relation to the following:

Copyright O 2003 International Society ofFire Serwice Inshuctors

All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher.

a. Proper size hoseline for the fire

b. Proper length of hoseline for the structure

c. Appropriate type (or types) of nozzle(s) to useduring the fire attack

d. Impact of available manpower on the attackline deployment

e. Proper positioning of the attack line: attack orexposure protection, offensive or defensivemode of attack

2. Demonstrate the proper techniques for advancingthe initial handline at various tvoes of structurefires

ESTIMATED TEACHING TIME:3 hours

MOTIVATING THE STUDENT:There is perhaps no more critical task that willdirectly impact a fire suppression operation than thatof stretching the initial handline at a structure fire.This impact will be either positive or negative. It hasbeen said that "As the first line goes, so goes the fire."Stretching the appropriate handline quickly andefficiently will lead to rapid fire suppression with bothlives and property saved.

Stretching an inappropriate size attack line, deployingthe line to the wrong location for the desired task, ortaking an increased amount of time to position the line

July/August 2003 THE VOICE . 11

I\i llozzle Person Responsibilities

A. Must use full PPE and SCBA

B. Communication

l. Follow orders of the officer.

2. Ask for clarification if you're not sureexactly what the officer wants you to do.

C. Determine the amount of hose needed for thetype of structure.

D. Bring the nozzle and one full length of hose(working length) that will be needed toadvance through the fire area to reach the seatof the fire. More than one length may beneeded depending upon the area in which youare operating.

E. Chock open doors or gates that may impedethe progress of the handline or cause it to kinkand block the flow of water.

F. Position the handline appropriately for thetype of operation that you are performing.

1. Protect paths of egress.

2. Locate the seat of the fire and besinextinguishment.

3. Backup another line.

4. Protect exposures.

G. Ensure that the air is bled from the handlineand the nozzle is set on the appropriatepattern (check GPM setting also, ifapplicable).

V. Backup Person Responsibilities

A. Must use full PPE and SCBA.

B. Remove all hose from the hose bed and assistthe driver with hooking up the line if needed.

C. Chock open doors and gates.

D. Removes kinks from the hoseline.

E. Assist nozzle person with managing thehandline.

l. Advancing the handline to reach the seatof the fire

2. Countering nozzle reaction

3. Avoid crowding thenozzle peruon.

a. Dangerous when a hasty retreat isneeded

b. Previously mentioned jobs are notgetting done ifbackup personnel arewith the nozzle person just to get alook at the fire.

VI. Door Firefighter Responsibilities

A. Must use full PPE and SCBA.

B. Monitor interior and exterior conditions fromtheir vantage point; watch for dangerousconditions.

C. Communicate pertinent information to theinterior attack team.

D. Assist with feedine the handline into thebuilding.

SUMMARY:The importance of stretching the initial attack line inan efficient and professional manner cannot beoverstated. A professional engine company will beaggressive, yet disciplined. They are never sloppyand impatient. The manner in which the first attackline is stretched will often dictate whether the firewill be rapidly extinguished or grow uncontrollably.Our experience and training will allow us to rapidlydecide which hoseline to stretch and where toadvance it to accomplish rapid fire suppression orcompletion of our desired task.

EVALUATION/TRAI N I NG EXERCISES:The following evolutions are primarily for entry-levelfirefighters that have little or no previous experience.The evolutions should initially be conducted withoutthe use of any smoke or fire so that the firefighterscan become familiar with the training structures aswell as being able to concentrate on the mainobjective of the lesson, which is to become proficientwith the use of handlines during fire operations.As the level of experience and training of thefirefighters increases the instructors may wish to

July/August 2003 THE VOICE 1 3

T -will lead to a progression of the fire with an increasedproperty loss and possible loss of life or injury tocivilians and firefighters. The rapid and efficientdeployment of the initial atlack line is a hallmark of aprofessional engine company.

PRESENTATION:

I. EquipmentFamiliarization

A. Utilize charged handlines of varying sizes,and with different types of nozzles, set up inadvance, in order to familiarize all personnelwith the equipment used throughout the fireservice in general and by your companyspecifically.

1. Hose size and average working flows

a. I Vz inch- 145 GPM

b. l3/qinch- 175 GPM

c. 2 inch - 250 GPM

d. 21/zinch- 350 GPM

2. Nozzles

a. Smooth-bore

b. Combination

c. Specialty nozzles (distributing, foam,piercing)

II. tr'actors to Consider When Selecting CorrectSize Hose and Nozzles

A. Occupancy of building.

B. Building construction.

C. Fire load/area of fire

1. NFA Rate of Flow Formula: Length xwidth of fire area (square footage) dividedby three equals the approximate amountof water that must be flowed to extinsuisha fire in that area

2. Iowa Rate of Flow Formula:Volume offire area (length x width) divided by 100equals the minimum gallons per minuteneeded for extinguishment of the firewhen in an enclosed area

D. Anticipated fire spread

E. Conditions on arrival (based on size-up)

F. Type of attack to be performed

1. Offensive/interior

a. Direct attack

b. Indirect attack

c. Combination attack

2. Defensive/exterior

3. Exposure protection

G. Available personnel/staffing

H. Backup handline

l. Same size or greater than the initialhandline

I. Preplanning

L Typical or standard type ofstructure

2. Unique type of structure or specialhazards

J. Training ofavailable personnel

III. Stretching the Initial Attack Handline

A. Types of hose loads - emphasize local typesused

l. Flat load

2. Triple layer load

3. Minuteman load

4. High-rise packs

B. Demonstrate stretching the handline

1. Horizontal stretch

2. Vertical stretch

3. Deploying hose from a high-rise pack

4. Advancing up a ladder

5. Fire escape operations

12 . THE V)ICE July/August 2003

add smoke and small training fires to the evolutions.The evolutions can be changed due to local structuretypes and building occupancies.

l. Advance l3/+inchlines off of the engine andinto the rear of the first floor of the trainingstructure. Flow water from the nozzle into theroom so that the nozzle person and backuppersonnel will become familiar with theoperation. This evolution simulates a fire in thefirst floor kitchen area of a residential dwelling.

2. Advance | 3/q inch lines off of the engine andinto a residential dwelling. The line will beadvanced up the interior stairs to the secondfloor bedroom. Flow water from the nozzle intothe bedroom. This evolution simulates abedroom fire on the second floor.

3. Advance | 3/+ inch lines up the exterior fireescape to the third floor of the training tower.Enter the third floor and flow water into thearea. This evolution simulates an enginecompany having to stretch the handline up thefire escape due to other lines already crowdingthe interior stairway or a potential collapse ofthese stairs and allows personnel to becomefamiliar with operating on fire escapes.

4. Advance | 3/q inch lines into the basement of aresidential dwelling. Flow water once the attackline has entered the basement. This evolutionsimulates a fire in the basement of a house andshould be conducted using the interior steps aswell as any exterior stairs so that personnel canbecome familiar with both types of hoselineadvancement.

5. Advance 7 3A inch lines to the second or thirdfloor of the building by using a ground ladder.Flow water once you have entered the fire areaof the floor. This evolution simulates an enginecompany having to advance a handline up aladder to operate on an upper floor due tocrowding of the interior stairway or a potentialcollapse of the stairs.

6. Advance 21/z inch lines to the front and rear ofthe building. Flow water onto the building andsurounding area so personnel can becomefamiliar with what it is like to operate the largerhandline. This evolution simulates an exteriorattack on the fire while protecting exposures.

7. Conduct any evolutions that may be specific toyour district building types and occupancies:standpipe hookups, deploying hose from a high-rise pack, unusual structures, etc.

REFERENCES:

Engine Company Fireground Operations, SecondEdition, Harold Richman, NFPA, 1986.

Engine Officer Do's and Don'fs, Tom Murray, FireEngineering, F ebruary 2002.

Essentials of Firefighting Fourth Edition, IFSTA, 1998.

Fire Stream Management Handbook, David P. Fornell,PennWell Publishing, 1991.

Observations on the Engine Company, Andrew A.Fredericks, Fire Engineering, April, 1998.

ACKNOWTEDGMENT:The materials in this Instruct-O-Gram were developedby Christopher S. Murtha of the Wilmington (DE) FireDepartment.

The Instruct-O-Gram is the monthly training outline of the International

Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI). The monthly Instruct-O-

Gram is provided as one of the benefits of membership in ISFSL

Call 1-800-435-0005 for information

on other benefits of membership.

14 . THE VoIcE .luly/August 2003