KVFD firefighters continued to refine their hose management skills last night in a class instructed by Training Coordinator Ray Stackhouse in the parking lot behind the post office. Hose management is a critical skill in the first few minutes of a fire. The faster we get water on the fire the best it is for occupant survival, firefighter safety and property preservation.

One of the skills is described below and a video is attached that demonstrates these skills. It's good for our community to know that these are complex and critical tasks. Many people do not understand how challenging firefighting can be.

All credit for development of these techniques given to The Nozzle Forward team; http://nozzleforward.com/

Accordion Forward - LONG STRETCH:

This is the fastest and cleanest stretch of those shown. The hose never leaves the nozzle-person's hands and only one run at the target is being made by the nozzle-team.

The forward third of the hose is always the neatest, as it is the managed bit of the load.Therefore, this section of the hose is the easiest to manipulate. This deployment requires the nozzle man to start their stretch by dropping the load away from the structure and stretch toward the target.

This stretch can be used in nearly any situation and is simple, fast, and clean. This is a universal stretch in that it will work from any standard hose-load; it can be deployed from the ground, back of the rig, or shoulder. Most important is that it works in failure as well as perfection. It sets the stage for a rapid advance, as it lays the hose in a manner that the "heel" person can easily determine where to position themselves on the line to continue the stretch efficiently.

With the hose on your right shoulder move your RIGHT hand and grasp the nozzle, the LEFT hand grabs roughly the MIDDLE bight (HOSE LOOP) of the shouldered load. Drop your right shoulder, dumping the shouldered hose onto the ground, while maintaining your grip on the bight and the nozzle(IDEALLY KEEPING YOUR ARMS SEPARATED SLIGHTLY)

Stretch the line towards the fire.