What kind of occupation is the fire department?
A labor-intensive, tool-dependent occupation (207).
Tasks accomplished by tools
-Cutting
-Cutting and striking
-Striking
-Pushing
-Pulling
-Prying (207)
What's the advantage to effectively using tools as an extension of their body?
They may multiply the force or leverage applied (207).
How are firefighting tools categorized?
By what they allow firefighters to do (207).
What are the cutting tools?
There are two types of tools that strictly cut: one is a type of axe, the tool most recognized within the fire service, and the other is different-sized bolt cutters.
-Pick-head Axe (forcible entry, overhaul, rescue, fire attack, ventilation)
-Bolt Cutter
Pick-head axe
A steel, single-bit axe (only one cutting blade). The blade should maintain a smooth cutting surface that is free of nicks and dings. On the opposite side is a pick. This triangular point can pierce materials such as roofing when it is necessary to create
What forces will work against you when using an axe?
-Gravity
-The force of the wind
-Bad weather conditions
-A burning structure
-The weight and restrictions of your turnout gear (208).
Bolt Cutters
Another cutting tool firefighters use. Bolt Cutters provide a quick and relatively easy method of cutting through various materials.
Chain, lock shackles, fencing, etc., can be used by other tools, but bolt cutters are inexpensive and fast and efficient.
What are the Cutting and Striking tools?
The tools that allow firefighters to cut and strike are a step up from single-use tools.
-Flat-head axe (forcible entry, ventilation, fire attack, rescue, and overhaul)
-Eight-pound splitting maul (209-210)
Flat-head axe
A steel, single-bit axe. The blade should have a smooth cutting surface that's free of nicks and dings. The opposite side of the blade is a flat striking surface that can be used as a sledgehammer.
The handle is slightly different than from the pick-head
Eight-pound splitting maul
Another tool that will complement your cutting and striking capabilities. The maul has a sledgehammer face on one side and a wedge-shaped splitter on the other side. The splitting maul can replace the flat-head axe in some forcible-entry situations. It's
What are the types of Striking tools?
-Sledgehammer (210)
Sledgehammer
Used for one purpose: to strike an object or another tool. It has striking surfaces on both sides of the head. Often mistakenly called a maul (which just has a striking surface on just one side of the head). The sledgehammer is a big, heavy hammer.
If you
What are the four tools engineered to strike other tools?
All are used for forcible entry, ventilation, fire attack, rescue, and overhaul (216).
-The back of the flat-head axe
-The eight-pound splitting maul
-The sledgehammer
-The Halligan bar (in certain circumstances) (210)
Tool safety
Safety is a number one priority at all times on the fireground. Never lose sight of the tool during your swing (so no over-the-head, off-behind-you or way-around-sidearm swings). Keep the tool head in site and maintain good hand-eye coordination to delive
Carrying tools
The safest way to carry a tool (axe, maul or sledgehammer) is to grasp the handle close to the head of the tool with the handle pointing away from you. You can also use the tool as a search tool when it's in this position. The handle will act as a blind m
What are the Prying tools?
Next to cutting tools for getting you to a fire, the most important group of tools can pry or increase leverage.
-Pry bars (forcible entry, ventilation, fire attack, rescue overhaul)
-Claw tool (forcible entry, ventilation, fire attack, rescue, overhaul)
Pry bars
Pry bars are the ultimate in simplicity because they are basic, true levers. There are two types:
Pinch-point bars
and
Wedge-point bars
.
Pinch-point bars have one beveled side, and Wedge-point bars have a bevel on both sides of the bar, forming a wedge p
Claw tool
A claw tool is a step up from a pry bar. It weights 14 lbs. It's a multipurpose prying tool, and although it's not extremely versatile it can perform many tasks on the fire ground when used correctly. Forcible-entry procedures can be performed easily with
Halligan bar
The Halligan bar might be considered one fire service-driven innovation that changed the way fire service operations are conducted. It was created by Chief Hugh Halligan in the 1940s. This bar is the preferred prying tool. It's the most efficient, effecti
Pike Pole
The Pike pole is one of the oldest tools in our arsenal of weapons to combat fires and, next to the pick-head axe, is the most readily identified tool of our trade. They're used during most fire incidents to pull apart debris and burning materials, open w
Boston Rake
A great tool for older buildings with plaster and lath walls (214).
Chicago pike pole
A favorite tool of CFD because the originals were made by the CFD shops (214).
Providence Hook
A special hook with a cutting surface on the backside of the point (pike) and another on the top of the hook, pushes easily into gypsum and plaster, downside. The head is so thin that it doesn't pull a lot of material on the down stroke. It's great for li
Halligan Hook
aka the multipurpose hook, invented by Huge Halligan. With its engineered angles, this hook makes quick work of overhauling. Ceilings, moldings, baseboards, and other trim offer little or no resistance (214).
San Francisco Hook
Named because the city has many lath and plaster houses, quickly penetrates plaster and lath and pulls big holes in ceiling and walls during overhaul. The chisel point on the top of the pike allows for quick, efficient trim removal (215).
Falcon Hook
A modified Halligan hook with broadened hooks and a curved cutting blade at the top, is a great hook for lightweight, metal buildings, tin ceilings, ductwork, and other hard-surface materials (215).
New York Hook
Officer hook for the FDNY, is similar to the standard hook in configuration, but is beefier. A great hook for heavy-duty work. The head design allows more leniency when used as a prying tool (215).
Gypsum Board Hook
Isn't a hook but a clawed rake that can chew and open up gypsum wallboard with little or no effort on your part. The angled jaw and cutting blade make pulling drywall easy (215).
L.A. Trash hook or Rubbish hook
Not a hook, it's also a rake. Often referred to as an arson rake or trash hook, this tool is great for raking trash around in a burning dumpster to make sure you've gotten it all. It works as a great lever in removing beadboard ceilings. The design of the
Set of Irons
A flat-head axe married to a Halligan bar (216).
What are the benefits of well-maintained tools?
They look good, function well, and are safer than neglected tools (216).
Cleaning the pick- and flat-head axe
Remove all paint from the head. Sand or use a wire brush until the steel is clean and shiny. Use a mill bastard file to maintain the cutting edge of the axe. Do not over sharpen. Do not use a grinder. When finished, put a thin coating of light machine or
Rotary power saw
Commonly called a cut-off saw, demolition saw or rescue saw. The rotary power saw plays a big part in firefighting tactics and procedures. Commonly used to assist firefighters in performing forcible entry, ventilation, breaching, and demolition operations
Saw Safety
-All firefighters should maintain at least 10 feet from the saw during cutting operations.
-1 tap= stop cut; 2 taps=cut; 3 taps=shut down the saw
Full list on pages 219-220. (219-220).
Starting Operations
Prior to starting the saw, ensure that the saw is in proper working order and is equipped with the right blade for the task. There should also be sufficient room around the saw. Shake the saw prior to starting it to ensure the gas and oil int eh fuel tank
Starting a cold engine
1) The firefighter checks that the stop or kill switch is in the off position
2) The firefighter engages or pulls the
choke lever
, switch or handle.
3) The firefighter then engages the
throttle handle trigger
and
throttle lock
.
4) If the saw is equipped
Starting a warm engine
Usually there is no need to choke the saw again once it's been on. The engine will be warm and sufficient fuel is in the fuel lines and carburetor chamber. If after two pulls the saw shows no signs of starting, then it may have to be choked again (220).
Body position for starting a saw
Developed by Lieutenant Michael Ciampo of NYFD. Squat behind the saw and put knee on the air filter. Advantages:
-Puts hand closer to the choke and throttle lever
-Shortens pulling distance, reducing chance of damaging the recoil spring
-Better lift, redu
Live saw
A saw that's running (221).
Traveling with a live saw
Ensure the blade has stopped rotating before changing locations or positions. Firefighters will roll a live saw on its blade when traveling which decreases its chances of injuring a firefighter. It can also inform them of any holes in the roof, shafts, se
Carrying a saw in a sling
Carrying a saw up a ladder in a sling enables a firefighter to maintain hand contact with the ladder. Most saws enable saw slings to be attached. Never carry a live saw up or down a ladder.
A
choker hitch
can be made around the control handle of a saw and
Operating with a saw
Saw operations should be performed as a two person team: the saw operator and a backup, safety or guide firefighter. Safety is responsible for the movement of the pair, giving hand signals, and watching and monitoring conditions around them. This is norma
Refueling the saw
Shut down and move to a safe location to refuel. Use a small funnel to prevent spillage or injury (223).
Maintenance
Saw maintenance is a large factor in determining the life expectancy of a saw. Check the following regularly and after each use:
-Saw and guard blade must be clean and free of debris that could affect operation.
-Saw's throttle components, choke and shuto
Misccellaneous rotary saws
Many types of saws powered by hydraulic fluid, lithium batteries, electricity and water in a rotary design. Not common on the fire ground but can be used during collapsed-building operations and vehicle extrication (224).
Chain saws
Chain saws in the fire service are normally used for ventilation efforts at structural fires or for cutting trees to provide a fire break in wildland firefighting. Also assists in removing tress from structures and automobiles during weather-related emerg
Traveling with a chain saw
Engage the chain brake before moving to a new location. If the saw isn't running, the chain should face the rear in case you were to trip and fall (225).
Operating the chain saw
Saw operations should be performed as a two person team: the saw operator and a backup, safety or guide firefighter. Safety is responsible for the movement of the pair, giving hand signals, and watching and monitoring conditions around them.
Chain saws he
Operating the chain saw: tree cutting
Prior to cutting, do a scene size-up to ensure there are no electrical lines. To begin saw operations, place the saw against the tree with the bumper spikes in contact with the tree. Using the tip is dangerous and should not be done (226-227).
Chain saw maintenance
Chain saws require more labor-intensive maintenance than rotary saws because of all its parts. See full list of requirements on page 227. (227).
Reciprocating saw
Commonly used for vehicle extrication, machinery extrication, and building collapses. These portable saws are lightweight, small, and easy to transport. Capable of operating on battery power with no need for an electrical cord. Some also operate on air su