Busy Drill Night at KFD
 
By Ex-Chief Dean W. Pappas
November 19, 2018
 

Monday night was a busy drill night, as KFD members drilled on basic skills. "Back to basics" focused on two areas: getting a fire hydrant ready to feed water to apparatus, and quickly stretching a pre-connected hoseline so that it does not get tangled up and it can be brought to the doorway of a burning structure for immediate use. Both evolutions were led by KFD line officers with active participation from probationary members through veteran firefighters to ex-chiefs. Several teams rotated through the two stations, stretching lines and flowing water, and setting up the various attachments for the fire hydrant so that it can supply water to the fire engine. Such basic skills are absolutely essential for ensuring that a fire attack is launched rapidly and effectively, with an uninterrupted supply of water the key to success.
 
Units: Engine 115
 
Getting equipment from the hydrant kit to "dress" the hydrant.
Getting equipment from the hydrant kit to "dress" the hydrant.
The pump operator is ready to both flow water and receive it from the hydrant
The pump operator is ready to both flow water and receive it from the hydrant
 
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Now it's their turn to dress the hydrant.
Now it's their turn to dress the hydrant.
 
The five-inch hose from the firetruck is wrapped around the hydrant so the truck can head to the fire scene without dragging it.
The five-inch hose from the firetruck is wrapped around the hydrant so the truck can head to the fire scene without dragging it.
Once the truck is positioned, the five-inch hose is connected to the hydrant
Once the truck is positioned, the five-inch hose is connected to the hydrant
 
Meanwhile, a second crew dons air packs and prepares to stretch a pre-connected hose line.
Meanwhile, a second crew dons air packs and prepares to stretch a pre-connected hose line.
Captain Mike Lehrer oversees the preparations.
Captain Mike Lehrer oversees the preparations.
 
Stretching the line . . .
Stretching the line . . .
Making sure none of the hose line is tangled.
Making sure none of the hose line is tangled.
 
Attacking the "fire". The cones indicate the front door of the imagined structure.
Attacking the "fire". The cones indicate the front door of the imagined structure.
A view of the five-inch supply line from the hydrant to Engine 115.
A view of the five-inch supply line from the hydrant to Engine 115.