With the new studies on fire attack being done in acquired structures and laboratories, I decided to do some studying on my own and read an interesting article by my late friend Andrew Fredericks of the Fire Department of New York who perished on 9/11. It was called “Little Drops of Water: 50 Years Later” and encompassed two parts. It was a very informative piece and has had riveting effects on today’s fire service with regard to solid stream vs. fog attack and direct attack vs. indirect attack.
One of the most poignant things about the article is that in today’s modern fire environment, 150 to 180 gallons per minute (gpm) are required to extinguish the fire while also protecting advancing firefighters. Andy also wrote numerous other prolific pieces for Fire Engineering, one being “The 2½-Inch Handline,” which I recently passed on to a firefighter studying for promotion. Anyway, here are some thoughts on water application and hoseline operations from a guy who influenced me.
Too bad so many of us have been caught on YouTube today pulling up with three or four firefighters on an engine to a raging private-dwelling fire with extension across the narrow alley and into the exposure; yet, we pull the 1¾-inch hoseline and stand in the front yard attempting to extinguish the fire and knock down the extension. Most of the time, much of the water turns to steam before it even hits its intended target, and we look like we are watering the lawn, but at least we’re making a great photo opportunity for fire calendars.
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