BY RAY McCORMACK
When the engine company enters the attack space, it has a forward nozzle posture. Although we need to attack the whole compartment for a successful knockdown, most often we miss one area, the one that holds its fire the longest, the entrance wall or the "dry" wall. For complete extinguishment, we need to wet this dry wall because this is where we will typically find fire behind us within the fire room.
When we enter the fire room, the nozzle is out in front of the nozzle firefighter, and its movements cover areas forward and to the sides of his position. The doorway through which the team enters is not only the entrance wall but also the room's dry wall. Once the nozzle team is fully in the fire compartment, this wall is now behind us and may still be burning. Any furniture, shelving, or other items lining it are usually still free burning and need further extinguishment. The nozzle used does not reduce the impact of the dry wall or fire behind you.
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