The easiest way to estimate the stretch is to break it into segments. If the location of the fire can’t be determined, the engine must stretch enough hose to cover the entire fire building or fire floor. If the fire is in a large or multistory structure, it’s advisable to use a company to recon the fire location prior to committing a hoseline. The company officer must independently attempt to verify the location of the fire by completing a 360-degree size-up of the structure if possible. If evacuated occupants are present, ask whether they know the location of the fire and the best access to that location. To begin an estimate, the location of the fire must be known. Unfortunately, estimates on the fireground generally don’t pertain to open areas and definitely don’t involve straight lines. However, their proficiency often involves determining distances in open areas. When most firefighters are asked whether they’re good at estimating distances, their reply often is a resounding, “No.” Those who hunt or golf or who have experience as a contractor might be better than others at making estimates. Members should develop a systematic way of sizing up the stretch and train on that system using buildings in their district. Members must learn-or redevelop-the skills that are necessary to accurately estimate the stretch of preconnected and static hoselines. With an accurate distance estimate, the use of static beds can help to eliminate many of the concerns that are presented by preconnects. Static stretches allow members to deploy only the amount of hose that’s needed to achieve their objective. Static hose stretches seem to be resurfacing in the engine company culture. Conversely, members have a fixed length of hose to stretch, and if they fail to properly size up the stretch, they easily can come up short and compromise the operation. Deployment of excess hose can lead to kinks and to reduced fire flows. When the order is given to stretch, the entire length of the selected preconnect must be deployed to retain its theoretical speed advantage. This results in complacency on the fireground, because members often default to their preconnected hoselines.Īlthough preconnected hoselines come with advantages, they also suffer from shortcomings. Although members still must determine whether a given preconnect will reach the target objective, they rarely give it much additional thought. However, the advantage of speed has come at the cost of a valuable skill-estimating the stretch. Preconnected lines are effective, because they allow members to quickly deploy and charge an attack line. Now, many departments rely on preconnected hoselines for the majority of their fires. The increased popularity of preconnected hoselines resulted in fewer departments stretching from their static hosebeds. The “Mattydale lay” concept grew in popularity and became known as the crosslay. Eno of the Mattydale, NY, Fire Department is credited with the invention of preconnected crosslays. Not too long ago, most departments stretched static hoselines off of the rear of the engine. There are few things more dangerous-and humiliating-on the fireground than failing to properly estimate the hose stretch and coming up short while advancing in the fire environment. It’s critical that officers ensure that enough hoseline is deployed, so the fire can be confined and extinguished quickly. Upon arriving on scene, the company officer must swiftly and thoroughly evaluate the length and diameter of hoseline that’s to be stretched based on the extent and location of the fire. Rapidly stretching and advancing the initial attack line is critical to the success of any engine company.
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