On Monday, October 12, 2026, members of the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company gathered at the fire house for an evening of hands-on training focused on hose lines, including hose sizes, lengths, deployment, and repacking. The drill was led by Deputy Chief Russum.

Members, both new and experienced, reviewed the proper techniques for deploying pre-connected handlines from our apparatus. While pulling a hose line may appear straightforward, there is much more to the process than simply pulling hose off the truck and opening the nozzle.

Firefighters must learn to navigate obstacles such as vehicles, yard debris, and furniture while ensuring the hose is properly positioned and free of kinks. Much like a garden hose, a kink in a fire hose can restrict water flow. During an emergency, maintaining proper water flow is critical to the effectiveness of the hose line and the safety of the firefighters operating it.

Training also covered the proper methods for repacking, or reracking, hose lines after use. Hose must be repacked in a specific and consistent manner so it can be deployed efficiently and reliably the next time it is needed. Proper repacking is just as important as knowing how to pull the line.

Throughout the evening, members took turns deploying hose lines and working through the various positions involved in repacking them. For newer members, repetition is an important part of developing the muscle memory and confidence needed to perform these tasks effectively on an emergency scene.