Summary: When fire is pushing at the front door, the first-in crew has to make a fast, tactical decision: go with a handline or drop a portable ground monitor like the BlitzFire. Each tool has its moment, but in high-heat, low-manpower scenarios, the BlitzFire can give you a serious knockdown advantage. With up to 500 GPM, stacked smooth bore tips, and stable low-angle flow, it might just be the right first move — especially when the front room’s lighting up and you need reach and impact from the threshold.
When the Front Door’s on Fire: Handline or Monitor?
You’re first on scene. The front door’s glowing, smoke pushing hard. You’ve got options — but they come with trade-offs. Do you stretch a handline, or do you drop a portable monitor right at the threshold?
In a recent reel, a BlitzFire ground monitor with stacked smooth bore tips — down to 1" — gets deployed at the front door. It’s not the most common move, but in the right conditions, it’s a smart one.
Why the BlitzFire Can Work at the Front Door
When things are cooking and the room’s flashing, you don’t always have the luxury of a full crew. That’s where a ground monitor like the BlitzFire pulls weight.
1. High GPM With Low Manpower
The BlitzFire delivers up to 500 GPM — and it doesn’t need three bodies to do it. That makes it a solid pick when staffing is light or you’re waiting on backup.
2. Stable and Low-Angle for Tight Spaces
Some BlitzFire models flow at a 10° angle, keeping your stream low and hitting deep into the structure without taking up precious entry space. It stays planted even under heavy flow, so you can set it and focus on the next move.
3. Smooth Bore Consistency
Those stacked tips aren’t just for show. Smooth bore delivers solid reach and penetration, even through the front room turbulence. When you need water deep into the seat of the fire — and fast — it performs.
But It’s Not Always the Best Call
A handline still gives you mobility and control, especially when conditions inside are changing fast. Smooth bore or fog? That depends on your department’s preferences, but either way, the key is owning the doorway.
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