Rethinking the Backup Firefighter

Firefighters with hoselines
(Photo by Tony Greco.)

No matter what type of fire department, the nozzle position is always the sexiest. The nozzle position is what every backstep firefighter wants to be assigned to. The nozzle is the one tool on the fireground that universally will make conditions better for both interior operating firefighters and for potential victims. The very existence of the engine company is the nozzle and the water that it delivers. The nozzle member may be the driver of the hoseline, but like any car, the driver is nothing without the engine. The “engine” of the hoseline team is the backup member. The backup member is the workhorse on the line and has a thankless role. This member should be sweating, breathing heavily, and making the hoseline push unimpeded.

The Problem

Today’s fire academies build training scars in many areas. Instructors are held to local and regional standards that they must teach, some of which are not the most efficient, effective, or even safest way to operate on the real-life fireground. One of those training scars involves the positioning of the backup firefighter. At many basic fire academies today, the backup member is taught to be immediately behind the nozzle firefighter. Additionally, both members are expected to be crawling on their hands and knees. Being in this body position and moving in this manner involves both the nozzle and backup members pulling line. This pulling motion, coupled with friction points and a long stretch, will quickly tire members out before the seat of the fire is even found. Pulling involves using small muscles of the biceps, triceps, and shoulders that tire quickly. Tired firefighters are typically not effective firefighters. Crawling on the hands and knees places four flat points of contact on the ground. I’m not sure about other areas, but the structures in my area that catch fire often have less-than-desirable items on the floor. Crawling also puts the weight of the body going forward and the head positioned down. A floor hole encountered in zero visibility conditions could be fatal for the hose team.

Nine out of 10 fires we go to will probably permit us the visibility and conditions to walk in and put the fire out, no problem. This mindset for this, then, is the one-in-10 fire where conditions are pushing us to the ground and visibility is zero. This is what we train for.

The Solution

Rethink the backup position. The backup position is no doubt the most important position on the hoseline. In today’s short-staffed fire service, there could not be more stress on being good at this position. A solid backup member not only moves appropriately but “feeds” line to the nozzle position—not too much, not too little, but just the right amount. This position is best served positioned on the same side of the line as the nozzle member, about eight to 10 feet behind the nozzle. In this concept, think of the nozzle and backup members forming together to make a rear-wheel-drive sports car. The backup member should be using the “tripod” position to move hose. Employing this body position allows backup firefighters to use the large muscles of the legs to drive both themselves and the hoseline forward, simply holding the line with their hand while moving down long areas such as hallways. The tripod position also keeps the member’s weight back and the head up, enabling the firefighter to serve as a second set of eyes for the hose team. This position use triangles formed by the body, which is the strongest geometric shape. When a turn is encountered, it is the job of backup members to get the information on the turn from the nozzle member or to read the turn themselves. A right turn is an indication to push hose “high and outside” to the left. A left turn indicates the opposite, pushing hose to the right. Pushing high and outside eliminates the pinch point encountered on the turn. If a “T-intersection” is encountered, shove as much hose opposite of where the nozzle member is going; this will give the nozzle member a surplus of hose to work with for a short period of time. This must be continually monitored by the backup firefighter. That member may have to park themselves at the turn and feed hose to the nozzle member, thus permanently eliminating that pinch point. When parked in the corner, simply “drive the bus,” feeding line mimicking operating a large steering wheel. Keep in mind not to get pinched between the friction point and the hose; stay opposite of it.

Back It Up!

More and more departments are riding “two deep” on an engine and making interior stretches with as little as two members on the hoseline. This can place the officer in a spot where they are also serving as the backup. This has come to be known as the “working boss,” a concept that my department even uses on a three-person hose team. This gives the option for the boss to be second on the line, being a backup member, and being closer to the fire to report on conditions and monitor the attack. Some bosses I work with who have two experienced and honed-in firefighters will be third on the line or the second backup member and let their firefighters go find and attack the fire independently.

*

The nozzle firefighter should never have to pull line nor call for more line. If this is the case, the advance is not going as effectively as it could. The backup member should be feeding line forward and managing corners and friction points. This member should be “bumping” around the line and managing turns or any problems that occur during the hoseline advance. It’s a backbreaking and strenuous job that doesn’t catch any glory. Without a solid and knowledgeable backup firefighter, the hose advance will be more difficult than what it needs to be. Train on effective line moving and communication. Remember, everything done on the fireground supports the search, and that includes fire attack. Put the fire out quickly and give our members a chance to make a rescue and the citizens a better chance at survival. They are counting on you!

Rick Bova

Rick Bova has been in the fire service for nine years and currently serves as a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Southfield (MI) Fire Department. Rick holds a bachelor of fire science degree from Lake Superior State University and instructs at the local fire academy. His passion is for engine company work and is an everyday student of the craft of firefighting.

Fire Burns Through PA Aerospace Supplier

A large fire broke out Monday night at SPS Technologies, an aerospace supplier in Abington Township.

Fatal Fire at Tacoma (WA) Indoor Shooting Range Appears Unintentional

A Tacoma indoor shooting range that was the scene of a fatal fire will be closed indefinitely.