BIGWATER

FASTLieutenant Aaron Lipski

Milwaukee Fire Department

This slideshow demonstrates and advocates for the lost art of blitz-attacking a fire with tank

water down a big line

It follows the actions of Milwaukee Fire Department Engine Co. 8

from arrival through total extinguishment

Photographs provided by:

Kevin Seyferth, Northshore Fire Department

Engine 8 Arrives

Elapsed Time

00:00

Our Heavy Equipment Operator sent our 500 gallons of tank water down our 2½” Lead-Line (1⅛” smoothbore tip). Remember, the tank water either sits in the tank and does nothing or, by providing extensive reach, gallonage and punch, it rapidly knocks the heart out of the fire. You choose.

Your Tank-to-Pump is required to provide a minimum of 500GPM. Remember, a Deck Gun Blitz Attack can be supported by this (as long as you have your smallest stacked-tip [maximum 1⅜”] on).

Engine 8 Flows Big Water

Elapsed Time

00:02

Engine 8 Initial Knockdown

Elapsed Time

00:03

Remember, always start at the lowest visible fire showing and work your way up from there when initiating a Defensive Attack.

If the reason for the Defensive Attack is an exposure problem, start by wetting down the exposure building(s) and then concentrating on extinguishment once the exposure is covered.

Note: One Firefighter flaked out the reduced line while the other knocked down the visible fire with the 1⅛” tip, making the rapid transition from Defensive to Offensive possible. This is forward-thinking firemanship at its best. Make sure your HEO is notified of the switch!

Engine 8 Transitions from Defensive to Offensive

Elapsed Time

00:04

Engine 8 Initiates Interior Attack with Engine 4

Elapsed Time

00:05

Engine 8 & Engine 4 Complete Interior Attack

Elapsed Time

00:15

Successful Firefight

Critical Factors

•Rapid turn-out time from quarters (00:50)

•Rapid, safe response taking most direct route available, even with extensive construction in area (3:12)

•Proper placement of 1st-due Engine, past fire building with hosebeds towards the fire building

•Rapid, controllable, proper placement of 2½” Leadline, broken down to 1⅛” smoothbore nozzle

•Rapid pumping of tank water down line

•Correct application of water (starting low and working way up)

•Preparing reduced Leadline for interior attack as big water is flowing (and advising HEO of switch)

Successful Firefight

Critical Factors

•Rapid transition from Defensive to Offensive

•Aggressive, controlled, focused Interior Attack after clearing basement

•Solid backup line by equally aggressive, controlled, and focused company

•Remember, we also had these favorable conditions:

•No known rescue situation

•No exposure problems

•Wind ‘at our backs’

•Mostly self-vented fire

•Minimal forcible entry needed

Successful Firefight

Critical Factors

•The single most critical factor in the success of this operation was the skillful, rapid, dynamic crew and their ability to rapidly apply water and seamlessly readjust their tactics as the fire conditions changed.