FRIDAY FORUM: Nozzle Courtesy

I don’t particularly love getting soaked at fires.  I am well aware it is part of the job.  After all, our principal extinguishing agent is water.  But if I can avoid it, I do.

On attic, cockloft, or other fires above one of my greatest fireground pet peeves is being unnecessarily soaked by the engine while opening up.  Nozzle firefighters, just because you see red doesn’t mean you have to start flowing immediately.  If the truck is opening up, give them a minute to create a hole large enough for effective fire attack, then let them move out of the way.  Need more opened up?  Shut down, let them work, then let them move.

While there will be times that overhead fire attack necessitates constant flow, this is often not the case.  Particularly in bedrooms, give the truck crew time to exit ahead of you.  In addition to the courtesy, it will give you more room to work.

Thank you, Engine 4, for not soaking me unnecessarily and allowing me to exit the room. I tip my helmet to you.