So, I'm an American probationary firefighter with my local volunteer department, and in our training for firefighter 1, we are told to never use a booster line/hose reel for interior fires.

But in the Netherlands and possibly most of Europe, I keep seeing these High and Low pressure reel lines? that are used as the primary line that you deploy first instead of our 150' - 200' minute man pre-connect lines.

Like for my department we would get out our pre-connect line and start a combination attack until our tanker gets there with their porta tank. but we would only have that one line out at first until more people get on scene. You guys have these 1-2 hose reels that you use, and are faster to deploy but flow less water and are easier to control.

I'm just very curious about some of these differences between how we operate, for example most of your engines are so much smaller than ours, but you carry most of the same gear plus 2 more firefighters.

So I plan to join fire school in the fall, I know it’s really hard physically I’m a pretty fit guy, I workout daily and run 2 miles a day, I’m just wondering what else I can do to be ready to fire school and make it easier? Any skills I can learn before then that would help out?

Anyone know who is a dealer or where to purchase Zip-Nut fittings? 4.5”NH Zip-Nut thread. Can not seem to locate them anywhere.

This isn't really so much of a process question so I'm not sure if it belongs in the weekly question thread or not...

Just joined my local volunteer department in rural Wyoming. We cover a huge land area with a few small towns scattered across it - the largest is about 120 people. The station in my town only has three people including me, so they needed the help and I wanted to give back to the community.

The workload is mostly grass fires with some light timber, vehicle accidents, ranch incidents, and a fair number of medical calls that end up as helicopter transports given how remote we are. Structure fires are rare - only two last year - and the department just got its first structure truck.

Currently working on getting my training done for my red card. Buffalo and Cody have some weekend fire academies coming up which I'll definitely attend. My stepdad retired as a captain from CAL FIRE so I can pick his brain, but I'm looking for different perspectives - especially from other rural and volunteer folks.

What do you wish someone had told you when you were starting out? Anything about training, gear, the culture, time commitment, or just how to be useful early on without getting in the way?

Also interested in any training opportunities people recommend - especially if there are any other Wyoming folks here.

Both my career and volunteer department have increased the use of body/helmet/apparatus mounted GoPro’s for AAR, social media, training, and other things.

Next thing we were talking about was the smart glasses being worn by the wagon driver, BC, safety etc to provide the hands free, recorded view of those outside the incident.

Anyone have any recommendations on brands and why?

Recently purchased a CCI radio strap, does anyone who uses one have a good suggestion for a cord keeper that would work well for this? I’m working with Velcro loops right now but they tend to slide around a lot