What is the term for laying a supply hose from the hydrant while driving the engine towards the fire?

The term that describes laying a supply hose from the hydrant while driving the engine towards the fire is "forward lay." This method is commonly used in firefighting because it allows the engine to maintain a direct route to the fire scene while simultaneously establishing a water supply from the nearest hydrant. By laying the hose in a forward direction, firefighters can effectively ensure that water is available for firefighting operations as soon as the apparatus arrives at the scene. This technique is essential for rapid response and helps in optimizing the firefighting efforts by minimizing the downtime between arrival at the scene and having water flowing to combat the fire.

Other methods, such as back lay, involve laying the hose from the fire scene back to the hydrant, which can be less efficient in rapidly accessing water when needed. Each technique has its specific use case, but forward lay is particularly advantageous in many emergency scenarios.