Exercise 1

Hose Drill

Introduction This exercise is part of a series which have been developed to obtain specific statistical data, to ensure that necessary provisions are incorporated in building design for fire brigade operational tasks, and to ensure fire fighter safety. The information will be collated for input into a fire brigade model for effective brigade activities at time of fire. While the activities listed may not exactly correspond to events on a fire ground, they have been designed for general coverage and maximum flexibility of data. It is acknowledged that on the fire ground, some activities may be undertaken simultaneously, and an additional option is provided to complete the activities as a single exercise in real time if desired. The exercises should not be considered as a competitive assessment, but normal fire ground speed is required. No indication of the brigade (except brigade type as per AIRS standard) or station is to be included on the activity time sheet. Drill All firefighters to be dressed in full turnout gear. 1 firefighter to establish a feed\inlet from a fire hydrant to a pump appliance, 2 firefighters in BA shall set up an attack hose and discharge water. The officer-in-charge will record times for each activity. All work to be carried out at normal fire ground speed. Where possible use 65mm diameter hose. Only use full hose lengths. Resources Pump appliance with officer and 3 fire-fighters BA for 2 fire fighters 4 x 30 metre lengths hose Equipment to connect to the hydrant used (eg. for a below ground hydrant a standpipe will be necessary) Objective To establish the time taken for tasks associated with hose operations: Water supply to the appliance Connect and charge sufficient 30 m lengths of hose between a fire appliance and the nearest hydrant a measured distance from the inlet on the appliance Delivery from the appliance Withdraw and don BA set, don face mask, test seal and complete BA control procedures Lay and charge not less than two 30 m lengths of delivery hose between a fire appliance and branch operator a measured distance from the outlet on the appliance

Method Position a pump appliance within two hose lengths reach of a fire hydrant and with sufficient space to lay and charge to operating pressure (with branch open) a 60 m hose line (see page 3 for a diagram of the drill). Driver engage pump (if cab control), alight, withdraw all necessary equipment to connect to the hydrant (eg. adaptors, keys, standpipe, plate lifter, hydrant bar, turn keys, etc.), prepare hydrant for connection (eg. ship standpipe, remove cap, flush, fit adaptor, strainer or breaching piece), as per normal operational procedure. Return for the 2 lengths of rolled hose, connect hose and charge, return to appliance. 2 Firefighters at signal from officer, alight, don BA and face masks at appliance, lodge BA tallies. For this exercise BA control must be at the appliance, this equipment set up by the driver. Lay hose to designated operation point. Pump operator to charge lines so branch operator can flow water with appliance delivering at required operating pressure. Measure and log distance of hydrant from appliance inlet and branch operator position from appliance outlet.

Notes for the Officer in charge It becomes very difficult to write down all the times if the whole drill is carried out as at a fire scene. So much happens at once. If attempting to work as at a fire scene, times for some activities will be missed whilst writing down the times of other activities. It is therefore necessary to break down the process into manageable steps. As an option, the activities can be repeated as a single fire ground exercise so that a total time is determined, however this is IN ADDITION to the activity times stipulated on the sheet. All times are to be recorded in seconds. A completed sample of exercise 1 provides an example of how the times should be recorded. In the sample, the start time is recorded as zero on three occasions because the officer staged the drill in manageable sections, each section starting at zero. The most important time to record is the time taken (3rd column) and if each activity is done separately, this is the only column required to be filled out. Note also the comments. In the sample, this fire crew only had 50 mm diameter delivery hose and insufficient room to lay a 60 m hose line. A fire plug is a SA term for an underground fire hydrant. These hydrants require a turn-key unlike the ball type hydrants used in other parts of Australia such as NSW. It is most important to state what type of hydrant is utilised as there are many different types used in Australia. If an adaptor is used (eg Stortz) which must be screwed onto the hydrant outlet, please record this. Similarly if it is your brigades practice to attach a valved breaching piece, or a strainer, then do so, but note down on the sheet that you have used this equipment. It is important that the drill be carried out and should not be cancelled because of unforseen difficulties which may be faced in conducting the drill. The officer should comment on any issue which caused a variation to the drill or affected recorded times. Only the activity time sheet with the recorded times need be sent in.

DIAGRAM OF DRILL

Hose Drill Activity Driver Time to engage pump, dismount, gather necessary equipment to prepare hydrant for flow Time to travel to hydrant/plug Time to prepare hydrant and flush Return time to appliance. Time to unpack, connect and charge ___ (No.) of 30m rolled lengths feed hose of diameter ____. Return time to appliance from hydrant 2 fire-fighters Time to dismount, remove and don BA, don face mask, test seals and lodge tallies. Time to unpack lay and connect ___(No.) of 30 m lengths of _____(rolled/flaked) hose of diameter____. Time to bring delivery up to required pressure with hose stream operating. Total time if completed as a single exercise (optional)

Time Start

Time Finish

Time Taken

Comments

Horizontal distance from appliance outlet to branch operator position __________m Horizontal distance from appliance inlet to fire hydrant position __________ m Brigade type (as per AIRS standard): permanent/ composite/ retained/ volunteer/ defence 4