CLEVELAND LOAD PRE-CONNECT
A couple of years back, my Engine Company started running our rear cross-lay with the bottom 150' flat loaded (one dog ear) and the remaining 100' in a Cleveland Load pre-connected. Our front cross-lay was still loaded with the standard DFD 250' flat load and two dog ears.
A couple of pro's to this Cleveland setup are:
1. You deliver 100' (or two couplings) to the point of entry - which is usually more than enough for what we do here in The Big D.
During my time in Battalion 4, which is comprised mostly of large apartment buildings, we typically shoot to have 50' at the door (or point of entry) and a second coupling worth of hose flaked out behind it in case we need to move down to an adjacent apartment. This setup was perfect for our needs and made the nozzleman's job of managing those first two couplings really easy - and much simpler than the traditional flat load deployment using the reverse flip method (see RS YouTube for a demonstration).
2. The hose stays "organized." Once the line is charged (or “popped”), it flakes out brilliantly for the crew that's advancing.
Back to those apartments in Battalion 4... if we had an adjacent apartment to the one that was on fire, it worked really well to force the door adjacent to the fire and drop your Cleveland bundle just inside that apartment. This kept the primary ingress/egress relatively clear for other companies coming up the stairs and on upper-floor landings.
It's All About Deploying It Properly...
This is going to seem rather basic and obvious... and it is.
But I've seen this deployed incorrectly... not once... not twice... but three times! The solution is simply to slow down long enough to look at how it's laid out, and, if necessary, make the quick change before you call for the line to be charged.
I guess it's also worth mentioning that the bundle needs to be set up properly from the start and kept "tight" in the tray while being deployed.
This is how it SHOULD look...
Notice that the bundle is laid flat with the nozzle on top and on the inside of the bundle. We use caution tape (vs. the velcro straps) to keep the bundle intact while it's being deployed, and is easily broken when the line is charged a bit hot to "pop" and remove any kinks.
This is NOT how it should look...
Notice that the nozzle is running under the bundle and on the outside. If you were to charge this line, you'd quickly be cussing your nozzle man and the work it's going to take to correct this screw-up.
UPDATE: We’ve started using cheap duct tape to strap/tie our rapid attack packs. It works perfectly utilizing ECO10/National 8D hose and charging it ~40psi above your targeted PDP….
So Here's The Point...
"Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast." I know it's been said and is sometimes a bit cheesy... but it's true.
Slow down enough to make sure that we have things set up properly. Let's not get in a frantic rush that leads to errors and mistakes on the fire ground.
Put in the reps. Train on this regularly. See the mistake BEFORE we hit the fire ground so that when it really counts, those reps will turn into speed and efficiency --- which is what the mission requires of us.
How are you loading your pre connects?
Share in the comments section below.
Hold Fast & Raise The Bar,
