New from CE Solutions

Check Out Our New Article: Fire Service Hose Basics

Choosing the right hoseline, estimating the stretch, and getting water where it needs to go are skills every engine company depends on. Our new article, Fire Service Hose Basics, takes a practical look at these fundamentals and the decisions that shape effective hoseline operations.

Written by Jordan Hedrick, NRP, FO I, Inst. I/II, BLS-I, the article brings together equipment considerations, hydraulic calculations, and deployment techniques in a detailed resource for firefighters, driver/operators, and company officers.

What does the article cover?

• Hoseline selection: Evaluating occupancy, fire load, staffing, and the demands of the assignment.
• Estimating the stretch: Planning enough hose to reach the operating position and recognizing where a standard preconnect may fall short.
• Fire flow and friction loss: Working through formulas and examples while understanding the importance of testing your own equipment.
• Nozzle reaction: Reviewing the forces crews must manage when operating handlines and master streams.
• Hose loads and advancement: Exploring common loads, bundles, body positioning, and techniques for navigating obstacles.
• Standpipe operations: Reviewing the assembly and deployment of standpipe packs, including the Denver, New York, and Chicago configurations.

A closer look at everyday engine company skills

The article includes calculation examples, illustrations, and step-by-step explanations of common hose loads. It also examines practical challenges such as stretching around parked vehicles, managing corners and doorways, and keeping the working length available as the nozzle team advances.

A recurring theme is the importance of practicing with your department’s equipment. Knowing a formula or recognizing a hose load is a starting point. Deploying that line, checking its performance, and working through obstacles with your crew helps turn that knowledge into a usable skill.

Whether you are reviewing the fundamentals or looking for topics to discuss during your next engine company training session, Fire Service Hose Basics offers plenty to bring back to the station.