On 26 May 2011, at 1250 hours, our company (along with others) was dispatched to a working structure fire. Upon arrival, the first in engine stretched a preconnected 1 3/4" line in which the 50′ of hose attached to the nozzle was brand new. This was the first use for that section of hose. While the pump operator was charging the line and bring the hose up to pressure, the coupling, attached to the nozzle, became detached (blew off) from the hose. Luckily, no one was hurt. Removing the section of hose did not hamper firefighting that much.
LESSONS LEARNED
While we test our hose annually, we don’t test new hose. As a result of this, I believe we’ll be testing new hose before it’s placed in service.
