1. Firefighter Safety Safety Precautions When Using Water to Extinguish a Fire

2. I.HAZARDS A.Electrical conductivity B.Reactivity with some fuels 1.Chemicals 2.Metals C.Steam generation D.Slipping 1.Wet surfaces 2.Ice in freezing weather E.Fire streams may push fire

3. Safety Precautions When Using Water to Extinguish a Fire II.PRECAUTIONS A.Wear appropriate personal protective equipment 1.SCBA especially important B.Electrical hazards 1.Shut-off power 2.Be careful of where water is sprayed

4. Safety Precautions When Using Water to Extinguish a Fire II.PRECAUTIONS CONTINUED C.Reactivity hazards 1.Chemicals a.Water May actually cause ignition May spread materials May cause release of toxic vapor b.Watch for placards and labels c.Be aware of runoff pollution Examples Sodium Many pesticides Herbicides Gasoline

5. Safety Precautions When Using Water to Extinguish a Fire II.PRECAUTIONS CONTINUED C.Reactivity hazards Continued 2.Metals a.May explode or react violently Sulfuric acid Magnesium Calcium carbide Quicklime Charcoal Liquefied chlorine Sodium b.Watch for extremely bright flames Lithium – red Zinc – green Magnesium and most others – white c.Do not attack with smaller than1½" hoselines

6. Safety Precautions When Using Water to Extinguish a Fire II.PRECAUTIONS CONTINUED D.Steam hazards 1.Helps to extinguish confined fire but may also hinder rescue activities 2.May obscure vision 3.May burn fire fighters and victims 4.Wear personal protective equipment 5.Use only short bursts on indirect attack 6.Do not use more water than necessary

7. Safety Precautions When Using Water to Extinguish a Fire II.PRECAUTIONS CONTINUED E.Slip hazards 1.Ice on stairways, curbs, sidewalks 2.Water on cement or tile can be slippery 3.May contribute with materials present to cause slip hazards a.Cooking oils b.Soaps c.Produce d.Plastics 4.Make sure boots have good soles 5.Be careful of fire streams that may break containers 6.Watch where you step

8. Safety Precautions When Using Water to Extinguish a Fire II.PRECAUTIONS CONTINUED F.Fire stream hazards 1.Push fire to unburned areas a.To different parts of structure b.May ignite flammable liquids Especially gas 2.Damage from straight stream to contents

9. Safety Precautions When Using Water to Extinguish a Fire SUMMARY There are several hazardous conditions that can be created when using water as an extinguishing agent. The fire fighter must recognize these situations in order to operate in a safe manner. Some of these conditions are electrical, reactivity to chemicals and metals, and slippery products such as soap and oils.

10. Public Education Safety Precautions When Handling Hoseline

11. I.SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHILE COUPLING AND UNCOUPLING HOSELINE OR NOZZLES A.Wear gloves 1.Avoids cutting hands on exposed male threads 2.Prevents brass slivers from burrs B.Wear appropriate footwear to avoid bruised or crushed toes from dropped coupling(s) C.Avoid back injury by lifting with legs when it is necessary to pick up coupling(s) D.Do not uncouple hoseline under pressure

12. Safety Precautions When Handling Hoseline II.SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHILE ROLLING HOSELINE A.Wear gloves B.Avoid dragging coupling(s) C.Be aware of glass in hoseline from parking lot or streets D.Ensure proper footing 1.Holes 2.Curbs 3.Slippery surfaces E.Be aware of surrounding hazards 1.Tree branches 2.Poles 3.Fences

13. Safety Precautions When Handling Hoseline II.SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHILE ROLLING HOSELINE CONTINUED F.Observe traffic conditions if being done in street G.Proper lifting techniques 1.Back straight 2.Knees bent 3.Head up H.Do not jerk 1.Use constant pull I.Do not attempt to force J.Maintain proper grip on hoseline or nozzle K.Walk, don't run L.Anticipate the hoseline snagging on obstructions

14. Safety Precautions When Handling Hoseline III.SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHILE MOVING CHARGED HOSELINES A.Do not twist back while dragging hoseline 1.Lean forward 2.Use legs B.Get assistance while pulling hoseline through doorways or around objects and corners C.Proper lifting techniques for lifting couplings 1.Back straight 2.Knees bent 3.Head up D.Determine necessity of moving 1.Easier to extend 2.Sufficient hoseline to drag 3.Use recognized procedures

15. Safety Precautions When Handling Hoseline III.SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHILE MOVING CHARGED HOSELINES CONTINUED E.Ensure proper footing 1.Wet ground 2.Do not cross over feet while moving hoseline F.Move hoseline in proportion to physical abilities

16. Safety Precautions When Handling Hoseline IV.SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHILE CARRYING HOSELINE A.Proper lifting techniques 1.Back straight 2.Knees bent 3.Head up B.Maintain control of coupling(s) 1.To prevent damage 2.To prevent injury C.Balance load to eliminate twisting back

17. Safety Precautions When Handling Hoseline V.SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHILE WASHING HOSELINE A.Solid footing on wet ground B.Wear gloves 1.To protect hands 2.Will become slippery when wet C.Be aware of where hoseline cleaning stream is directed 1.Wear eye protection D.In accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and directions for commercial hoseline washers

18. Safety Precautions When Handling Hoseline SUMMARY Fire fighting is a dangerous job and a good portion of our time is spent handling hoseline, rolling, coupling or uncoupling, moving, carrying, and washing. If a sound heads-up attitude is maintained while dealing with hoseline, injuries can be reduced and/or prevented.

19. Public Education How to Safely Attack an Interior and Exterior Class A Fire

20. I.INTERIOR ATTACK 1.Drag hoseline a.To objective b.Using legs c.Watching for hazards 2.Open nozzle bale a.To check hoseline b.Bleeding air from line c.Nozzle pattern set at 30° fog d.Adequate volume/pressure for attack

21. How to Safely Attack an Interior and Exterior Class A Fire I.INTERIOR ATTACK CONTINUED 3.Crouch against building a.Near door b.Opposite side of hinges c.Beneath heat, smoke vapors overhead d.In event of backdraft, door will not crush you 4.Determine entry a.At point that limits fire extension or intensification 5.Feel door a.With back of exposed wrist or hand b.Special attention to top of door 6.Open door 1.Slowly 2.With one hand on nozzle bale

22. How to Safely Attack an Interior and Exterior Class A Fire I.INTERIOR ATTACK CONTINUED 7.Enter building a.With partner b.Close to floor c.On same side of hoseline d.Remaining close to floor throughout attack 8.Locate seat of fire a.Looking into every room on the way to the area of fire b.Checking for victims or undetected fires that may block your escape route if not dealt with 9.Probe area ahead of you 1.With hands or feet 2.Checking for shafts, holes, or structural weakness

23. How to Safely Attack an Interior and Exterior Class A Fire I.INTERIOR ATTACK CONTINUED 10.Apply short burst of water a.On seat of fire b.Using 30° narrow fog pattern c.Not splashing or scattering fuels d.Until fire darkens or is extinguished 11.Close nozzle bale 12.Report on conditions to supervisor 13.Check area a.For burning materials b.For hazards to personnel c.For hazards to hoseline

24. How to Safely Attack an Interior and Exterior Class A Fire I.INTERIOR ATTACK CONTINUED 14.Begin overhaul a.Looking for hidden fires 15.Exit building a.With partner b.Remaining close to the floor

25. How to Safely Attack an Interior and Exterior Class A Fire II.EXTERIOR ATTACK 1.Drag hoseline a.To objective b.Using legs c.Watching for hazards 2.Open nozzle bale a.To check hoseline b.Bleeding air from line c.Nozzle pattern set at 30° fog d.Adequate volume/pressure for attack 3.Apply water a.On seat of fire b.Adjusting stream pattern c.Avoiding excessive water application d.Avoiding disruption to possible evidence e.Until fire darkens or is extinguished

26. How to Safely Attack an Interior and Exterior Class A Fire II.EXTERIOR ATTACK CONTINUED 4.Close nozzle bale 5.Check area a.For burning materials b.For hazards to personnel c.For hazards to hoseline 6.Begin overhaul a.Looking for hidden fires