One of the most sought-after positions on any fireground is that of the nozzle firefighter. The nozzle position puts the member closest to the fire, with the ability to have the biggest impact on the entire operation. Quite simply, the nozzle firefighter can make or break the fireground.
Many often take the nozzle position for granted, as it’s one of the tasks that’s performed on nearly every fireground. It’s seemingly an easy position until a particularly tough fire is encountered. The goal is to acquire the knowledge, skills and abilities, preferably at a subconscious level, so when conditions change or a difficult fire is encountered, the nozzle firefighter can rise to the challenge. A well-positioned, advanced and flowed handline creates survivable space, produces a safer operating environment for firefighters, reduces property damage and rapidly stabilizes the incident.
Training & critical-thinking skills
The nozzle firefighter should have considerable knowledge pertaining to strategy, tactics, hoseline operations and fire attack. This includes skills in hoseline selection (both diameter and length), the initial hoseline stretch, hoseline advancement, fire behavior and fire attack. These skills come with experience and training.
In many departments, the nozzle firefighter operates under the guidance of the engine company officer. However, there are situations or departments where the nozzle firefighter may operate without direction from an officer. In these situations, the nozzle firefighter must possess critical thinking as to where, when and how to attack the fire.
Unfortunately, many initial firefighter courses and department academies do not effectively teach these critical skills. Many recruits are told what line to stretch and exactly where to stretch it to. This goes even further when recruits are told when to open and close the nozzle. Often, this is done to minimize wetting down other sets for future burn evolutions.
These training scars transfer to the fireground. This frequently results in inexperienced nozzle firefighters hesitating to open the line when conditions warrant or quickly opening and closing the nozzle, thus failing to adequately cool the environment/knock down the fire. These curriculum deficiencies must be addressed to ensure that firefighters have a thorough understanding of appropriate tactics and when/how to apply them.
Once on the streets, firefighters should be mentored by experienced firefighters and fire officers to expound upon the basic blueprint that’s learned in the academy. Working with experienced members on the training ground and fireground helps to ensure that the nozzle firefighter is up to the task when an incident occurs.
Line selection and entry point
The selection of the hoseline diameter, type and length are often determined by the engine
company officer. The type of occupancy, size of the building, geographic features, size of the fire and location of the fire are all determining factors that must be evaluated.
A critical piece that must be determined is the entry point to which the hoseline is to be stretched. For a single-family dwelling, this could be as simple as the front door. For larger buildings, such as apartment and commercial buildings, this could be a remote door that is closest to the fire. For multistory buildings, such as apartment buildings, mid-rises and high-rises, the attack stairwell must also be selected. No matter the entry point, this information must be clearly communicated to all companies.
Although the officer usually makes the determination, a nozzle firefighter should perform their own size up to have an idea of the most likely line to be selected and the entry point. This is especially true when the fire is remote or when conditions aren’t immediately evident and the officer must perform a size up a distance from the engine company apparatus. In addition, nozzle firefighters should help safeguard against something that may have been initially missed by the officer. Nozzle firefighters should trust their officer, and officers should trust their nozzle firefighter.
The stretch
Once the hoseline and entry point are selected and confirmed, the appropriate hoseline must be stretched to that location. Members must work with one another to stretch the hoseline. The nozzle firefighter must ensure that the working length is brought to the entry point. The working length is the hose that is required to make it from the entry point to the fire area and to cover the fire area.
At the entry point, the nozzle firefighter should ensure they have at least the minimum appropriate working length and the nozzle. It is preferred to have the nozzle and the first coupling staged near the door to facilitate entry. The nozzle firefighter should confirm that the line is flaked out for easy entry into the structure or fire occupancy. When there’s enough room, the working length should be flaked perpendicular to the entry door. This makes it easier to advance the line, as it isn’t pulling across/around railings or door jambs, which increases friction.
It’s advisable to stage the nozzle and coupling several feet back from the door. This does several things for the overall operation. First, when the hoseline is charged, it tends to extend. Setting back several feet minimizes the line becoming too close to the door. Second, it provides a broader field of situational awareness, allowing the engine company to see changing conditions. Third, firefighters are most exposed to falling and melting debris when they remove their helmets in a stationary position to mask up. Being farther from the structure greatly reduces this risk. Fourth, it provides space if the door needs to be forced, and it keeps firefighters back if conditions rapidly change when the door is opened. It also provides room to maneuver the nozzle if the area needs to be washed down. Finally, if a victim is found just inside of the door, it gives space for victim removal without interfering with hoseline advancement.
Equipment and entry
Once the working line is flaked out and the rest of the hoseline is adequately stretched, the call to charge the line should be given. The nozzle firefighter should control the nozzle by holding it or kneeling on it. It is a good practice to leave the bale of the nozzle slightly cracked when calling for water. This allows trapped air to be bled off and gives the nozzle firefighter an audible indication that the command to charge the line was received. During this time, the nozzle firefighter can mask up and ensure that their other PPE is in place for entry.
After the hoseline is charged, it must be bled completely of air. The nozzle should be fully opened to verify the pressure, stream reach, stream quality and pattern. The nozzle firefighter must know how long the nozzle needs to be kept open to allow the proper pressure to be set by the driver/operator. This time frame varies based on hoseline length, apparatus specs and driver/operator reaction times.
The nozzle firefighter must be familiar with the nozzle that’s being used. They should be able to tell by visual, audible and tactile feedback if the proper nozzle pressure flow is being achieved. This is easier to tell with smooth bores or even fixed-gallonage fog nozzles. These nozzles have decreased reach and/or poor stream quality when they are underpumped.
With automatic nozzles, it can be very difficult to tell if the proper pressure/flow is being achieved. This is due to the constant-pressure, variable-flow nature of their design. An automatic nozzle has a spring that adjusts to keep the pressure constant while increasing or decreasing the flow. These nozzles provide roughly the same stream reach and quality over a wide range of flows. The only discernable difference is a decreased or increased nozzle reaction felt by the nozzle firefighter. This can be very difficult to notice in the time-compressed and stress-filled environment of the fireground.
Entry and fire attack
Once the hoseline is charged and bled, stream attributes verified, and all PPE is in place, the nozzle firefighter can begin the advance. The nozzle firefighter—or company officer—should control the advance. When more hoseline is needed, it should be communicated to the other members behind the nozzle.
The speed of the advance depends on fire and environmental conditions that are encountered. These can include light smoke, zero visibility, high heat, heavy fire conditions and/or heavy contents. Nozzle firefighters must match the speed with their ability to positively impact the conditions. If met with high heat or heavy fire, the nozzle firefighter must open the nozzle and flow. Remember, water can take time to work
The nozzle firefighter must adopt good nozzle handling techniques to afford them the greatest impact. This encompasses body mechanics, hose and nozzle maneuverability, and water application. They must find techniques that work for their body types under fireground conditions to safely control the nozzle reaction while effectively flowing
the line. A technique that works in an open parking lot may not be best for the confines of a building with high heat and heavy contents.
The nozzle should be out in front, so the nozzle firefighter’s fingers just reach the bale. Having the nozzle out in front allows it to be easily maneuvered in all directions, including behind the nozzle team if conditions change.
Depending on the fire’s size, the nozzle should be moved in a methodical fashion to ensure that the accumulating gases, ceiling, walls, floor and burning materials are all being cooled. The environment must be cooled until the hoseline can be maneuvered to the area of origin and extinguishment achieved.
Once the fire is knocked down, the area must be checked for extension. As walls and ceilings are opened up, the nozzle firefighter should maintain control of the nozzle for fast extinguishment if fire is discovered. If the nozzle is set down, it can easily become buried under debris, making it difficult to locate and employ.
Experience is vital
The nozzle firefighter position is a coveted one on the fireground. It is vital that the firefighter be experienced regarding the tools, strategies, tactics and techniques that are needed to efficiently stretch on, advance to and extinguish the fire. Engine companies should constantly train to ensure the proficiency of their members and their ability to work as a crew.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
Jacketed Hose
The American-made Snap-tite Warrior is the company’s response to prevent more burn-through tragedies with a hose that can stand the heat while performing exceptionally. Conductive testing results include 60 minutes of radiant testing at 30 kw/m² of heat flux without failure; 15 minutes of conductive (hot metal) testing at 752 degrees Fahrenheit without failure; and more than three times the abrasion resistance of any hose that’s on the market.
End-Suction Pump
Waterous’ ESU1 end-suction pump provides the power and performance of a traditional midship fire pump in a compact, lightweight design. Performance ratings are 1,500 gpm, 1,750 gpm, 2,000 gpm and 2,250 gpm at 150 psi. It’s available as a direct-driven pump or matched with the company’s split-shaft, aluminum-case C22 transmission.
New Hose Resources
KnowYourHose.com is an online resource hub that’s hosted by Mercedes Textiles. It’s dedicated to giving fire departments all of the information that they need to find the right hose, dial it in and trust that it will deliver on the job. The online resource provides access to detailed specs, a friction-loss calculator and community-led resources.
Jonathan Hall
Jonathan Hall, who is a Firehouse contributing editor, has more than 23 years of fire service experience. He currently is a captain with the St. Paul, MN, Fire Department assigned to Engine Company 14. Hall also serves as a lead instructor in the department's Training Division; he teaches hands-on skills to members of all ranks. Hall is the co-owner of Make The Move Training LLC and teaches engine company operations throughout the country.
