Engine Module Page 1 of 5 PROGRESSIVE HOSELAYS Firefighters must be able to perform all phases of wildland fire attack quickly and efficiently. Hose lays are most effective when the engine cannot reach or travel the fire line due to terrain or when the vegetation is too heavy to drive through. Progressive hose lays are used as a direct attack technique on wildland fires. Starting from an anchor point, single jacket 1 ½ hose in 100 sections is deployed along the fires edge in such a manner allowing the firefighter to extinguish the fire as he/she progressively deploys hose up the fire line. To assist in containing slop over across the fire line and mopping up, an in-line tee is placed in the progressive hose lay every 200 feet. This tee will allow for a 100 section of 1 hose with nozzle to be attached. Firefighters must rely on strong manipulative skills, teamwork, and communications will ensure a successful hose lay operation. A general rule of thumb is that a progressive hose lay should be staffed by at least three engine companies. That would provide approximately nine Firefighters for the operation. Additionally, a water tender or a fourth engine should be designated for water supply use. These personnel should be able to deploy hose and fight fire at a production rate of 200 feet every 5 minutes. Engine Company personnel will be referred to as the Nozzle, Brass, and Clamp Person/s for purposes of this training guideline. The hose pulled to begin the hose lay will usually come from a 1 ¾ pre-connect or other pre-connected wildland hose line. When choosing wildland nozzles use the FS60 combination nozzle or if using the nozzle from a 1 ¾ pre-connect dial the nozzle GPM to 60 GPM to start. Adjust as needed but the goal of water use in the wildland environment is to use the least amount of water possible consistent with effective hose line operations and safety. Any vegetation fire that needs more than 60 GPM to suppress requires reevaluating your strategy. If not using the combination nozzle use the 3/8 smooth bore wildland nozzle. The 3/8 tip flows 30 GPM @ 50 PSI, 38 GPM @ 80 PSI and 42 GPM @ 100 PSI. Either nozzle choice, bring the other with you. Nozzle tip changes are easy to perform with the breakaway nozzles. As always nozzle technique is important. When actively attacking a fire the speed of operations is important. However, many factors will affect the effective speed the team can go. The importance of putting in a wet line that will hold cannot be over emphasized. A wet line that doesn t hold can place the firefighters at risk of being flanked by the fire, burning their hose behind them, and wasting valuable resources. A good wildland nozzle person can put an effective wet line down as fast as conditions will allow. Some of the factors that affect the speed of a progressive hose lay are: Resources
Engine Module Page 2 of 5 Topography Wind/Weather Ground fuels Surface fuels Water supply During overhaul speed isn t as much of a factor and crews should spend the time required to complete mop up operations. Order of Operations: Deployment of a Wildland Hose Pack 1. Crew receives order and prepares for a Progressive Hose lay. Obtain packs (Gasner shown) from the correct compartment or top of the engine. Brass Person should remove all packs necessary for personnel. If stepping off rig, notify stepping off. 2. Obtain Wildland Nozzle. Nozzle selection is at the discretion of the Company Officer. Generally, a shut-off and tips are most effective with regard to water conservation and penetration. Bubble Cup type nozzles and/or other models of foam nozzles may also be used if necessary. If the wildland combination nozzle is used the FS60 should be chosen over the FS95. Additional equipment needed includes hose clamps, tees, and possibly adapters. Hand tools should also be carried up the hose lay. 3. Don the Hose Pack Place pack on back/s utilizing backpack loops. Check for complete equipment (in-line tee, pack straps, clamps). Assist additional personnel as necessary.
Engine Module Page 3 of 5 4. Extend Pre-Connect Select and extend pre-connect line and change nozzle if needed. Establish anchor point with nozzle person applying water to fire line. This will start the wet line process. The nozzle person uses a straight stream to cool burning heavy fuel and hot spots out ahead of the hose lay while maintaining a wet line. Within 10 to 15 ft. of hose extension the last person or designated person will call out HOSE. This verbal command will be passed along up the line to notify the nozzle person that hose extension is near complete. 5. Add an additional hose section Remove a section of hose from the Nozzle Person s pack. The Nozzle Person maintains water flow to insure that a cool area is available for hose pack placement. 5a. The removed pack section is set on the ground. This process of pack deployment with alternate through hose lay personnel. 5b. Prepare pack for extension with Nozzle Person continuing to flow water. Brass Person to roll out or unfold the hose section from the pack. Brass Person configures hose in a circle** when hose is folded in a circular fashion. If using rolls use either the drop and drag or roll out method for proper deployment and hands male end of hose to Nozzle Person (under arm). The Nozzle Person will wet down safety area and call for CLAMP when ready.
Engine Module Page 4 of 5 6. Apply hose clamp. Clamp Person applies the hose clamp when the Nozzle Person calls CLAMP. Nozzle Person maintains water flow while the Clamp Person applies the clamp several feet behind the nozzle. Once the hose clamp is applied the Clamp Person calls CLAMP ON. 7. Connecting the new hose section. Attachment of the new section of hose is done by the nozzle person removing the nozzle and handing the male end to the Brass Person. Nozzle Person attaches nozzle to male end of newly extended pack section. The nozzle may attach directly to an in-line tee if not already attached to the hose. The Brass Person attaches male end from the nozzle to the newly deployed section of hose. 8. When nozzle and brass connections are ready, the first person ready calls WATER ONE and the second person ready calls WATER TWO. 9. Charge new section of hose. Clamp Person hears commands for water and releases clamp slowly. Clamp Person shouts WATER COMING. All hose lay personnel will fix any kinks in the hose and pick up straps as needed. 10. Advance hose lay Assure water at the nozzle, and then extend hose line. Nozzle Person proceeds up fire line establishing wet line. Advance the hose line, leaving enough slack to allow
Engine Module Page 5 of 5 for movement of hose line or replacement of broken section of hose. The Brass, Clamp Person, and other personnel supports and assist the hose lay progression. This hose lay process continues along the fire perimeter until a control objective has been met. Maintain good communication for efficiency and safety. Personnel will be returning to engines for additional Hose packs as needed. Repeat above steps during addition of sections to complete the hose lay until incident objectives are met. Safety Always know what is happening both in front and behind of your hose lay. Never advance a hose line without water at the nozzle. Conserve Water Always obey the 10/18, and LCES. Fight fire one foot in the burn, one foot in the green. Follow your hose lay when walking up and down the fire perimeter.