Tool & Equipment Functional Categories
Rotating
Prying or Spreading
Pushing or Pulling
Striking
Cutting
Multiple Use
Rotating Tools - Definition
Rotating tools apply a rotational force to make something turn.
Rotating Tools - Examples
Box-end wrench
Gripping pliers
Hydrant wrench
Open-end wrench
Combination wrench
Pipe wrench
Screwdriver
Socket wrench
Spanner wrench
Box-end wrench
A hand tool used to tighten or loosen bolts. The end is enclosed, as opposed to an open-end wrench. Each wrench is a specific size and most have ratchets for easier use
Gripping pliers
A hand tool with a pincer-like working end that can be used to bend wire or hold smaller objects.
Hydrant wrench
A hand tool used to operate the valves on a hydrant. Some versions are plain wrenches, whereas others have a ratchet feature.
Open-end wrench
A hand tool with an open end that is used to tighten or loosen bolts.
Combination wrench
A hand tool with an open-end wrench on one end and a box-end wrench on the other.
Pipe wrench
A wrench with one fixed grip and one movable grip that can be adjusted to fit securely around pipes and other tubular objects
Screwdriver
1.25 oz Vodka, fill with fresh squeezed orange juice ;-)
(If you don't know this tool we're in trouble)
Socket wrench
A wrench that fits over a nut or bolt and uses action of an attached handle to tighten or loosen the nut or bolt.
Spanner wrench
A special wrench used to tighten or loosen hose couplings. Spanners come in several sizes.
Pushing/Pulling Tools - Definition
Tools used for pushing or pulling that can extend the reach of the fire fighter as well as increase the power the fire fighter can exert upon an object.
Pushing/Pulling Tools - Examples
Ceiling hook
Clemens hook
Closet hook
Drywall hook
Multipurpose hook
Pike pole
Plaster hook
Roofman's hook
San Francisco hook
K tool
Ceiling hook
A tool consisting of a long wood or fiberglass pole and a metal point with a spur at right angles that can be used to probe ceilings and pull down plaster lath material.
Clemens hook
A multipurpose tool that can be used for forcible entry and ventilation applications because of its unique head design.
Closet hook
A type of pike pole intended for use in tight spaces, commonly 2 to 4 feet in length.
Drywall hook
A specialized version of a pike pole that can remove drywall more effectively because of its hook design.
Multipurpose hook
A long pole with a wooden or fiberglass handle and a metal hook on one end.
Pike pole
A wood or fiberglass pole with a sharp point on one end coupled with a hook, commonly 4 to 6 feet in length. It is used to make openings in ceilings and walls.
Plaster hook
A long pole with a pointed head and two retractable cutting blades on the side.
Roofman's hook
A long pole with a solid metal hook.
San Francisco hook
A multipurpose tool used for forcible entry and ventilation applications. It includes a built-in gas shut-off and directional slot.
K tool
A tool used to remove lock cylinders from structural doors so the locking mechanism can be unlocked.
Prying/Spreading Tools - Definition
Tools used to pry and spread. May be as simple as a hand tool or as complex as a hydraulic tool.
Prying/Spreading Tools - Examples
Claw bar
Crowbar
Flat bar
Halligan tool
Hux bar
Kelly tool
Pry bar
Hydraulic spreaders
Rabbet tool
Claw bar
A tool with a pointed claw-hook on one end and a forked- or flat-chisel pry on the other end that can be used for forcible entry.
Crowbar
A straight bar made of steel or iron with a forked-like chisel on the working end.
Flat bar
a specialized prying tool made of flat steel with prying ends suitable for performing forced entry.
Halligan tool
A prying tool designed for use in the fire service that also incorporates a pick, an adz and a fork; sometimes known as a Hooligan tool. The difference is the Halligan tool is a forged piece of steel.
Hux bar
A multipurpose tool that can be used for forcible entry and ventilation applications because of its unique design. It may also be used as a hydrant wrench.
Kelly tool
A steel bar with two main features: a large pick and a large chisel or fork.
Pry bar
A specialized prying tool made of a hardened steel rod with a tapered end that can be inserted into a small area.
Hydraulic spreaders
A lightweight, hand-operated tool that can produce up to 10,000 pounds of prying and spreading force.
Rabbet tool
A hydraulic spreading tool designed to pry open doors that swing inward.
Striking Tools - Definition
Tools used to apply an impact force on an object.
Striking Tools - Examples
Hammer
Mallet
Sledgehammer
Maul
Flat-head axe
Pick-head axe
Battering ram
Chisel
Spring-loaded center punch
Irons
Hammer
A hand tool constructed of solid material with a long handle and a head affixed to the top of the handle, with one side of the head used for striking and the other side used for prying.
Mallet
A short-handled hammer with a round head.
Sledgehammer
A long, heavy hammer that requires the use of both hands.
Maul
A specialized striking tool (weighing 6 lbs or more) with an axe on one side and a sledge hammer on the other side.
Flat-head axe
A tool with a head that has an axe blade on one side and a flat head that can be used for striking on the opposite side.
Pick-head axe
A tool with a head that has an axe blade on one side and a pointed pick on the opposite side.
Battering ram
A heavy metal bar used to break down doors.
Chisel
A metal tool with one sharpened end that can be used to break apart material when used in conjunction with a hammer, mallet or sledgehammer.
Spring-loaded center punch
A spring-loaded punch used to break tempered automobile glass,
Irons
A pairing of tools, specifically a flat-head axe and the Halligan tool.
Cutting Tools - Definition
Tools that have sharp edges that sever objects.
Cutting Tools - Examples
Seat belt cutters
Bolt cutters
Handsaws
Mechanical saws
Hacksaws
Carpenter's handsaws
Coping saw
Key-hole saw
Chainsaws
Rotary saws
Reciprocating saws
Hydraulic shears
Cutting torches
Seat belt cutters
A specialized cutting device that cuts through seat belts.
Bolt cutters
A cutting tool used to cut through thick metal objects such as bolts, locks and wire fences.
Handsaws
A manually powered saw designed to cut different types of materials.
Mechanical saws
A saw that is usually powered by an electric motor or a gasoline engine. The three primary types of mechanical saws are chainsaws, rotary saws and reciprocating saws.
Hacksaws
A cutting tool designed for use on metal. Different blades can be used for cutting different types of metals.
Carpenter's handsaws
A saw designed for cutting wood.
Coping saw
A saw designed to cut curves in wood.
Keyhole saw
A saw designed to cut circles in wood for keyholes.
Chainsaws
A power saw that uses the rotating movement of a chain equipped with sharpened cutting edges. It is typically used to cut through wood.
Rotary saws
A power saw that uses a large rotating blade to cut through material. The blades can be changed depending on the materials being cut.
Reciprocating saws
A saw that is powered by electricity and whose blade moves back and forth.
Hydraulic shears
A lightweight, hand operated tool that can produce up to 10,000 lbs of cutting force.
Cutting torch
A torch that produces a high-temperature flame capable of heating metal to its melting point, thereby cutting through an object. Because of the temperatures (5700*F) that these torches produce, the operator must be specially trained before using this tool
Phases of Tool Use
Response/size-up
Forcible entry
Interior attack
Search and rescue
Rapid Intervention Crew/Company (RIC)
Ventilation
Overhaul
Response/size-up
This phase begins when the emergency call is received and continues as the units travel to the incident scene. The last part of the phase involves the initial observation and evaluation of factors used to determine which strategy and tactics will be deplo
Forcible entry
This phase begins when entry to buildings, vehicles, aircraft or other confined areas is locked or blocked, requiring fire fighters to use special techniques to gain access.
Interior attack
During this phase, a team of fire fighters is assigned to enter the fire structure, locate the fire and extinguish the fire.
Search and rescue
This phase involves searching for any victims trapped by the fire and extricating them from the building.
Rapid Intervention
During the phase, a rapid intervention company/crew (RIC) provides immediate assistance to injured or trapped fire fighters,
Ventilation
This step involves changing air within a compartment by natural or mechanical means.
Overhaul
The final phase is to ensure that all hidden fires are extinguished after the main fire has been suppressed.
Basic set of tools for interior firefighting
A prying tool, such as a Halligan tool.
A striking tool, such as a flat-head axe or sledgehammer.
A cutting tool, such as an axe.
A pushing/pulling tool, such as a pike pole.
A hand light or portable light.
Basic set of tools for search and rescue
A pushing/pulling tool, such as a short pike pole.
A prying tool, such as a Halligan tool.
A striking tool, such as a flat-head axe or sledgehammer.
A cutting tool, such as an axe.
A hand light or portable light.
Thermal imaging device.
Life lines.
Thermal imaging device
Electronic devices that detects differences in temperature based on infrared energy and then generate images based on those data. These devices are commonly used in smoke filled environments to locate victims as well as to search for hidden fire during si
Life line
A rope secured to a fire fighter that enables the fire fighter to retrace hisr her steps out of a structure.
Basic set of tools for RIC
Thermal imaging device.
Additional portable lighting.
Life lines.
Prying tools.
Striking tools.
Cutting tools, including a power saw.
SCBA and spare cylinders with RIC UAC.
Patient packaging device.
Basic set of tools for ventilation
Positive-pressure fans.
Negative-pressure (exhaust) fans.
Pulling and pushing tools (long pike poles)
Cutting tools (power saws and axes)
Positive-pressure ventilation
Fresh air is blown INTO a building through selected openings to force contaminated air out through other openings.
Negative-pressure ventilation
Uses fans at select openings to draw contaminated air OUT of a building. Used when there is no suitable openings for positive-pressure ventilation or when introducing air could accelerate the fire.
Horizontal ventilation
Usually involves opening outer windows and doors to allow fresh air to enter and to remove contaminated air.
Vertical ventilation
Openings in the roof or the highest part of a building allow smoke and hot gasses to escape.
Basic set of tools for overhaul
Pushing/pulling tools, such as pike poles of varying size.
Prying tools, such as a Halligan tool.
Striking tools, such as a flat-head axe or sledgehammer.
Cutting tools, such as an axe.
Debris removal tools, such as shovels, brooms, rakes, buckets, carrya
Basic tool maintenance
Keep equipment clean and free from rust, keep cutting blades sharpened and keep fuel tanks filled.