What is a reverse hose lay?

A reverse hose lay is a firefighting technique where the supply line is initiated at the attack engine and then laid back to the water source, such as a hydrant. This method allows firefighters to establish water supply quickly while also being in close proximity to the area where firefighting operations are taking place. Starting with the engine ensures that firefighters have immediate access to water when they begin their attack on the fire. It is particularly useful in situations where quick action is necessary, as it eliminates the delay of having to first lay the hose from the water source to the engine.

In the context of the other options, a supply line laid from the water source to the engine describes a traditional hose lay, which is not the reverse method. While a configuration for quick deployment and techniques for extinguishing fires are important in firefighting, they do not specifically describe what a reverse hose lay entails, which focuses on how the supply line is laid out starting from the engine.