By Brian Smith

In the late spring of 2001, I attended the FDIC West Fire Conference in Sacramento, California. I had been in the fire service for 15 years and had worked in three different states, having seen a variety of methods to handle the basic skills of firefighting. Call me old fashioned, but I really wanted to take the engine-company skills class that was being taught by some guy named Andy Fredericks from the FDNY. I figured that maybe these guys had a few tricks of the trade to pass on. The rest, as is often said, is history. I not only met several great firefighters from the East Coast, but there were a slew of West Coast firefighters who had adopted the concepts, the age-old concepts, of handling hoselines and using proper nozzle skills. Most of these techniques were new to me. Until that time, I thought of myself as a good firefighter and a developing company officer. After the class, I became a better firefighter, armed with knowledge that would improve my abilities to control a handline.  This old dog truly learned some new tricks.

The goal of this article is to pass on those “new” tricks that I learned. I would like to explain why I feel that these techniques are valuable, because they can help you to work smarter not harder. These techniques have a solid scientific and physical basis to them, and they work. As I stated in the story above, I changed completely my methods for handline and nozzle control. I have used these skills for the last six years and taught them to 35 recruits when I was in my role as the department training officer. Before I start to give out some reasons why you should give these important tips a try, let me assure those who have other methods that I encourage you to always use those skills that allow you to control the nozzle, be safe, and complete your objective. I just ask you to give these ideas a fair hearing and to also try them during drills to see how much they can help you to counteract the nozzle reaction forces that must be controlled.

You’ll also notice that these tips address three basic areas: they make “physics” sense; they make use of good, sound body mechanics; and they help you to work smarter not harder. Making “physics” sense means that these tips help the nozzle firefighter to use techniques that more appropriately address problems caused by forces of a physical nature. Using proper body mechanics, although not always possible during emergency work, allows the nozzle firefighter to counteract these physical forces using techniques that take advantage of strong body positions thus expending less energy and putting less stress on the body. Finally, working smarter not harder may not sound very fun, but it allows nozzle firefighters to give a more productive work cycle, again by allowing them to use less energy while putting less stress on the body. This last concept is why older, more experienced firefighters seem to accomplish more work at emergency scenes than their younger, more eager counterparts.

TIP #1: TREAT THE NOZZLE AS THE FRONT 2 OR 3 FEET OF THE HOSE AND KEEP IT OUT IN FRONT OF YOU

When I was in my first recruit academy, we were taught to hold the nozzle close to our body, tucked in with one hand on or near the bail for safety. This was thought to be a strong position, with one hand able to shut the line down quickly if you started to lose control. Manufacturers added a pistol grip thinking that this would help the operator to control the nozzle. I spent a lot of years always feeling like the nozzle was getting away from me, like I was just about to lose it backwards. I was constantly readjusting the nozzle. I also found that it was tougher to hit fire that was to my immediate 90-degree side. Also, manipulating the nozzle in a circular pattern to distribute the stream in a room is accomplished only by moving your entire body in a circular motion.

The engine-company class taught an entirely different approach, telling the students that getting the nozzle out in front of you was more efficient because it allowed a greater ability to manipulate the nozzle and direct the stream, and it used better body mechanics.

No longer do you have to move your body to manipulate the nozzle to evenly distribute the stream throughout the fire area. Your arms will do the work for you. Hitting fire to your 90-degree left or right is a simple matter of moving that front two feet of the handline (nozzle and a foot of hose) to the left or right. Having the nozzle out in front of your body also allows for a stronger arm position, not depending on grip strength as much; and the pistol grip therefore becomes irrelevant and in the way. The off hand (in the picture above the right hand) will turn the bail on and off. Although this is not as close as a hand on or near the bail, I have never had trouble controlling the nozzle and shutting it off using this technique. I have felt more in control of the nozzle and do not have to readjust the nozzle as much as I use to.

TIP #2: KEEP THE HOSE AS STRAIGHT AS POSSIBLE WITHIN TEN FEET OF THE NOZZLE

We all understand counteracting the nozzle reaction, which is the product of the pressure of the nozzle and the volume of the stream. That force will try to push the nozzle straight backwards, demonstrating the classic physical law: to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.  The nozzle team below is using a good strong body position, keeping the nozzle out front and the hose almost perfectly straight behind them, all of which are helping them to counteract the force of the nozzle wanting to move backwards. Not as much in the smaller lines, but in a larger handline, like the 2½”, the weight of the water will also assist the nozzle team in counteracting nozzle reaction. The straighter the hose, more of that water weight can be used to assist in counteracting reaction forces.

What is not taught as often, in regards to keeping the hose as straight as possible, is that any bend in the hose, especially near the nozzle, creates another physical force to be overcome. The hose — or, more appropriately, the force of the water moving through the hose — wants to be straight. All things seek equilibrium. A car could never negotiate a curve in the road without the friction of the tires, the bank of the roadbed, and the right speed to overcome the natural inclination of the vehicle to keep moving in a straight line. The same principles apply with a handline that is curving or bending; it takes an application of more force to keep it in that curve. Take a handline and see if it takes less force to keep it straight versus putting a couple of bends in it near the nozzle. 

The nozzle team below is not only having to counteract the backwards force of the nozzle but also the force of the hose wanting to straighten out towards the stairs. This causes the nozzle operator to be counteracting multiple forces from several directions. With the knowledge of these basic physical principles taught to this nozzle team, they can help their cause and reduce the effort that is necessary to resist nozzle reaction by repositioning (if possible) to a place on the stairwell that allows the hose to be laid out straighter, or by the back-up firefighter ensuring that the hose behind the nozzle operator is straighter than it is now. Remember, the job of the back-up firefighter is to take the burden of counteracting the nozzle reaction forces off the nozzle operator’s plate so that the nozzle firefighter is able to concentrate on confining and extinguishing the fire. The back-up firefighter does this by using good body mechanics, trying to put more of his body in line with the direction of the reaction forces, and also by coordinating the movement of the hose with the nozzle operator to keep the hose as straight as possible behind the nozzle firefighter. Another method for the back-up firefighter to assist the nozzle operator in resisting forces would be to position the hose on the stairs, thus letting a concrete floor help to resist nozzle reaction forces. This concept will be discussed later.

TIP #3: USE STRONG BODY POSITIONS TO HELP COUNTERACT NOZZLE REACTION

What do they always tell you about a solid stance? Feet shoulder-width apart with knees slightly bent. This was how I was taught to have a strong stance and hold a handline. The problem with this explanation is that it doesn’t explain how to use the greater mass of your body to resist reaction forces rather than your arm strength, which gives out faster than your arms and back and legs combined. We have taught firefighters to hold the handline off to their sides with their shoulders and hips (the greater mass of your body) parallel to the handline, thus there is very little mass perpendicular to the direction of the reaction forces helping to block and overcome those forces. It’s kind of funny, but most of the time we teach firefighters to hold a handline while standing up, which makes it difficult to create strong body positions by turning your body more perpendicular to the direction of the reaction forces. How many times have you fought a structure fire standing up? Most fires are fought on your knees or even lower, therefore we should be teaching nozzle handling techniques from this type of position. One of the best techniques that I have learned came from a conference in Boise, Idaho. The firefighter below is showing this technique.

The nozzle is held well forward with the back elbow braced against his back leg, directing the nozzle reaction forces to this leg which is then directing those forces to the ground, much like a supporting column of a structure. This position is so strong that you can literally hold this handline with the back arm only (his right in this picture). It is an easy position from which to manipulate the nozzle and distribute the water completely through the fire area. It is also an easy position to move forward or backward and reposition all while flowing the nozzle. Also, don’t be afraid to just sit on a handline or lie on a handline as well.

The name of the game is control, safety, and completing the objective. There is no shame in saving some of your personal energy to accomplish these goals by sitting on or lying on the handline; in fact, it is fighting fire with some common sense. The firefighter in the picture above is in total control of the nozzle, again with the line well out in front to assist in directing water throughout the fire area. He is also low, allowing him to see below the thermal layer and take less of a beating up in the heat and the smoke.

TIP #4 : USE THE GROUND, WALLS, OR OTHER STRONGPOINTS TO HELP COUNTERACT REACTION FORCES

Why is it that older, more experienced firefighters can accomplish more work than their younger counterparts, even though they are not as physically fit and they have more physical limitations due to age? It is because the older firefighters have learned tricks of the trade and are not afraid to be smarter, because they can no longer accomplish as much with brute force. You shouldn’t be a firefighter if you can’t hold and use a nozzle, but it still takes a lot of energy. Why not use something as simple as the ground to help dissipate the nozzle reaction of a handline. The back-up firefighter in the photo has both his hands and his knee on the hose, forcing it into the ground.

This team could sit in this place for a long time and fight fire, as well as take a short break while they re-gather some energy if they have to reposition or move forward and continue the firefight. Another tip is to back into a wall while you are directing water into the fire area. Look for strong protected areas as you advance your line. They will help you to counter the forces and help to save some energy as you advance to finally extinguish the fire.

TIP #5: DO NOT BE AFRAID OF USING THE 2½” HANDLINE

Tip #5 has been one of the best tactics that we have used at our department. In the past, people rarely pulled the 2½” line, thinking that it took too many personnel to put into service and utilize. The engine-company class taught how to put a 2½” line into service with one person and how to advance it and knock the “crap” out of an advanced fire condition using only two members as a nozzle team. Since we brought these techniques back, many crews in our department have learned to pull the 2½” and have stopped fires in their tracks. There are some important techniques.

First, it pays to lay out about 10 feet of hose straight back from where you will position the nozzle. This “weight of water” helps to counteract the reaction forces. Secondly, you can sit or kneel on the hose, but you must ensure that you have your body weight straight down on the hose. Again, notice that the firefighter in the photo has the nozzle out in front, using the forward two to three feet of the hose to better manipulate the nozzle and deliver water to a greater area. This hose can reach a window on the fifth story of our drill tower. It can be a powerful weapon.  This technique allows short-staffed engine companies (three persons, just like in my department) to put a 2½” line into service while another crew member deploys another line.

You can also deploy and use the 2½” in a more traditional way, with two people as a nozzle team. Again, proper technique is vital. The back-up firefighter’s job is to resist the nozzle reaction forces so that the nozzle operator can focus on water delivery to the proper area. The back-up firefighter has turned his body backwards to his teammate so that he can use more of his body to resist reaction forces by being more perpendicular to those forces. He is using a strong body position. This crew can move and advance this line. There are limits, because the 2½” line is still a heavy line to use. You will not operate it for long or for great distances. But its use is for the rapid control of a well advanced fire condition. If the fire cannot be controlled quickly, it would be time to sit on the line and operate multiple 2½” lines until control is obtained. The point of this tip is that the 2½” line is your friend and can be used by minimum staffing.

TIP #6: THE BACK-UP MAN IS THE MOST IMPORTANT JOB ON A HANDLINE

Finally, just as linemen in football are unsung heroes in the trenches, the back-up firefighter is the unsung hero of the handline nozzle team. We have already discussed that the back-up firefighter is the person who should resist as much of the nozzle-reaction forces as possible so that the nozzle operator is free to concentrate on confining and extinguishing the fire. The back-up also is responsible to coordinate the hose movement with the nozzle operator to help make the manipulation of the nozzle easier. If the nozzle goes up, the back-up puts the nozzle to the ground. If it needs to go right than he moves the nozzle left to keep it straight: nozzle to the left, hose to the right. When the nozzle operator advances forward than the back-up gets more hose. The back-up firefighter applies the muscle and the manual labor to the firefight.

A good back-up firefighter makes the nozzle operator look good. As evidenced by the above picture, proper technique allows the back-up firefighter to control all of the nozzle reaction forces. Look closely: the nozzle operator does not have his hands on the hose (“LOOK MA, NO HANDS”). The above handline is a TFT 100-psi nozzle (our department has since gone to 150-gpm-at-75-psi nozzles) flowing 100-125 gpm. This isn’t an illusion; we have performed this same demonstration with a 2½” line using a combination nozzle. The bottom line: the back-up firefighter is the most important member of the nozzle team. Shagging hose is not for wimps.

I hope that these tips help; they sure have helped me and several members of our fire department. There is always going to be discussion about different techniques, but there should always be enough respect for each other to try something new if it seems that it might help. Again, the goal is to keep control of the nozzle, be safe, and complete the objective. Some of this stuff is pretty basic, but we must always come back to those basic things to ensure that our firefighting foundation is strong. There were other tips that were passed on at the engine-company class in the areas of hose deployment and handline advancement, and I would like to share those techniques in other articles. As always, stay low and be safe.