Advancing Larger Hoselines with Webbing

Katie Johnson and company demonstrate a way to use webbing to help a lone firefighter advance a larger hoseline and flow water.

[@flairball]

Good stuff. I’ve been carrying an oversized Prussic, for years, for just this application. A small prussic can make a nice handle for the back up firefighter, too.

[@zgrothus]

I've not seen this version of wrapping it around the shoulder, but it makes sense and I like it! However, I do think practice would be needed when changing out firefighters on the hoseline. It seems like it may be tricky to get out of in a blacked-out and/or tight environment when the next firefighter is coming to take over so you can go recycle your air. I'm going to share this with my crew the next time we practice hose advancement and nozzle control!

[@carluche87]

No webbing needed for an 1 3/4. Especially with a smooth bore tip. This works great with a 2 1/2. You don’t need webbing for this type of line. (Shown in the video)

[@zgrothus]

I would say that it depends on the individual controlling the hoseline and for how long. 1 3/4 is manageable for many, but it may be difficult for others who aren't as stout. I'm all for tricks that allow us to conserve our energy on scene.

[@CCSchack]

About how long is that piece of webbing? 8 - 10’ guesstimate?

[@hosedragger-204]

That's my guess. I carry a piece of webbing that's about 8ft long that belonged to my father and he carried when he was a volunteer firefighter from 1994 to 2005. Back then all he had to worry about escaping from was a 2 story home so that was his bailout webbing. Now that I'm a paid-on-call firefighter I carry the same piece of webbing, but for the same purpose as is demonstrated in the video. For bailout purposes I've got a section of 4,000lb rated webbing that's 50ft long and has a auto locking carabineer on the end of it.

[@sixfoxtrot]

May I repost this on Instagram pointing back to FE's account?

[@FireengineeringMagazine]

Permission granted on IG story.