Hose Techniques

Proper and effective handling of a hose line is a vital part of a successful attack on a fire. Equipment, operating pressure and technique all influence  how a firefighter can safely and effectively manage their hose stream. We are actively looking at all three of these to help make us both safer and more effective on the fireground. Check out the information presented in the videos below.  What do you think? Are your experiences reflected here? 

Trying to flow too much water out of lower flow nozzles by increasing  pressure coupled with bad fireground mechanics and technique can tire out firefighters or worse, create unsafe hoselines.  While transitioning to smoothbores or the newer low pressure, high flow fixed gallonage nozzles can help avoid these situations, proper technique is also required..

Video Below: Measuring nozzle reation using a fish scale. Note the difference between a  15/16" smoothbore @ 50psi flowing 185gpm versus the  100psi automatic nozzle flowing at the same gpm...very dramatic difference.

Our new nozzle do not have a pistol grip. During our trainings during drill we have tried to show and explain the rationale behind the choice and how the pistol grip on our old nozzles was leading to improper technique and  increased firefighter fatigue. These 2 videos also show this concept.

"Nozzle Forward" is a term for a class created and taught by Aaron Fields and The Nozzle Forward Cadre.  In it, the group advocated for an adaptable system of hose line management and fire attack.  It is focused around fighting fire,; aggressive interior offensive firefighting. Some techniques discussed are the "Hip Grip" and "The Clamp.

Videos showing/explaining the "Comella" lock technique named after Oakland firefighter Jay Comella. This works well for single firefighter, low manpower situations while maintaining good hoseline control. It is an alternate technique used in the nozzle forward videos in that the opposite  knee is up and uses the right elbow as a stop.

The backup firefighter can make the nozzle firefighter's job much easier, or with poor technique or lack of communication, much much harder.  Check out a few videos that show just a few of the worthwhile methods taught. There are certainly others but think about your last time performing this important task. Did you use any of these techniques? Should you?