Report Number: 05-0000221
Report Date: 05/27/2005
Event Description
While leaving the scene of a multiple alarm fire, one of our fire inspectors heard the siren of an approaching engine. Seeing the narrow lane, he pulled over and stopped to allow the engine a clear lane of travel. As the engine came into sight the inspector noticed something dragging behind the engine but he could not make out what it was until the engine came closer. As soon as he realized the engine was dragging a 200-foot Mattydale, he tried to flag down the approaching engine. As the engine passed, the inspector frantically waved his arms from inside his vehicle. The engine crew waved back and continued towards the fire. At that moment the nozzle on the hose line became entangled in some shrubbery. The inspector watched in disbelief as the tension on the hose line increased until the nozzle was launched into the air directly at his windshield. Having no other option but to seek cover, the inspector dove under the dash and braced for the impact to the windshield. Fortunately that impact never occurred. The nozzle fell short of the vehicle bouncing under the vehicle’s front tire. However as the engine continued down the lane the tension on the hose line once again increased until the front of the vehicle was lifted allowing the nozzle to pass underneath the front tire and become entangled with the rear tire. The process repeated, lifting the rear of the vehicle releasing the nozzle. Finally the engine became aware of the dragging hose line and stopped to survey for damages.
Lesson Learned
Lessons learned: dragging hose lines present a danger to personnel, equipment, and the public. To prevent a similar event have all crew members and vehicle operators increase their situational awareness while responding to and returning from incidents and evaluate all hose loads for nozzle security issues.
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