8 hr – Nozzles, Hose and Flows – HOT

Course Description

This 8-hour Hands-On Training (HOT) course is designed to improve firefighter competency, confidence, and operational understanding of hoselines, nozzle selection, water movement, and fireground flow dynamics through realistic hands-on training and repetition-based evolutions.

This program focuses on the practical application of engine company fundamentals and the critical relationship between hose, nozzle choice, friction loss, fire flow, and aggressive interior fire attack. Students will spend the day stretching hoselines, flowing water, operating nozzles, troubleshooting hose problems, and applying modern fire attack principles in realistic fireground scenarios.

Emphasis is placed on understanding why we flow what we flow, how nozzle selection impacts fireground performance, and how proper hose management directly affects firefighter safety and fire control. Students will be exposed to smooth bore and combination nozzle operations, flow path considerations, nozzle reaction, stream application, and coordinated engine company operations.

This is not a classroom-heavy lecture course. Students should expect a physically demanding, fast-paced training environment built around movement, communication, repetition, and realistic fireground problem solving. The goal of the course is to create firefighters who understand not just how to stretch and flow a line, but why their tactics and equipment choices matter on the modern fireground.

Course Objectives

Demonstrate proper hoseline deployment and advancement techniques.
Identify operational differences between smooth bore and combination nozzles.
Demonstrate effective nozzle control and water application techniques.
Explain the relationship between GPM, nozzle pressure, friction loss, and fire flow.
Demonstrate proper hose management during interior fire attack operations.
Identify common hose and nozzle operational problems and corrective actions.
Demonstrate coordinated engine company fire attack principles.
Apply modern fire behavior and flow path concepts during suppression operations.
Reinforce communication and teamwork during engine company evolutions.
Improve operational confidence and efficiency through repetition-based practical training.

Course Details

• Hours: 8
• Maximum Students: 25
• Prerequisites: Basic FF
• Practical Skills Sheets Available: N

Standards & JPRs

• Associated NFPA Standard(s) & Edition(s): 1001/1410
• NFPA Chapter(s): 5&6 and
• Associated JPRs: 8.1/8.2/8.3/8.4/8.5

Equipment & Training Props

• Student Equipment / PPE: Structural FF PPE
• Host Agency Equipment / Props: Pumping Apparatus, Training Location, Training Tower if applicable
• Vendor-Supplied Training Props: limited Nozzles and Hose