shovels, air bags, come alongs, and tripods 8 * Forcible

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Fire Fighter Tools and Equipment
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Introduction
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• Tools are used for a wide range of activities.
• Fire fighters must know how to use tools and
  equipment
• Effectively
• Efficiently
• Safely
• In dark, limited visibility environments
• Same tools used different ways in each phase of
  fire suppression and rescue operations

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General Considerations
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• Hand and power tools used in all fire suppression
  and rescue operations
• Hand tools
• Extend or multiply body actions
• Increase task effectiveness
• Use simple machine principles
• Power tools
• Powered by electric motors or internal combustion
  engines
• Faster and more efficient

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Safety
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• Safety is the prime consideration for use of
  tools and equipment.
• Safe equipment avoids accidental injury to
• Fire fighters
• Other responders
• Victims
• Bystanders

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Safe Operation Requires PPE
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• Approved helmet
• Firefighting hood
• Eye protection
• Face shield
• Approved firefighting gloves

• Turnout coats
• Bunker pants
• Boots
• Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
• Personal alert safety system

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Conditions of Use/ Operating Conditions
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• Begin learning under optimal conditions.
• As proficiency increases, practice under more
  realistic conditions.
• Eventually, be able to use tools with no
  visibility.
• Requires ability to work safely in noise and
  around other activities
• Your department may require you to practice
  skills in total darkness.

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Effective and Efficient Use
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• Use the least amount of energy to accomplish the
  task.
• Objective is to complete task safely and quickly.
• Many are surprised by the strength and energy
  required for tasks.
• You will learn which tools are used during
  various fireground operations.

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Effective and Efficient Use
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• Fire department may have standard operating
  guidelines specify
• Tools and equipment needed for specific
  situations
• Tools and equipment to be carried by fire fighter
  as personal gear
• Many carry a selection of tools in their pockets.

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Functions
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• Rotating (assembly or disassembly)
• Pushing or pulling
• Prying or spreading
• Striking
• Cutting
• Multiple use

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Rotating Tools
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• Apply rotational force to turn
• Most common are screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers
• Requires basic skills
• Apparatus carry tool kits with a wide selection

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Rotating Tools
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• Various sizes and types of screw heads
• Spanner wrenches are used for couplings.
• Hydrant wrenches are used for hydrants.

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Common Assembly/Disassembly Tools
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• Box-end wrenches
• Gripping pliers
• Hydrant wrenches
• Open-end wrenches
• Pipe wrenches
• Screwdrivers
• Socket wrenches
• Spanner wrenches

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Pushing/Pulling Tools
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• Extend fire fighters reach
• Increase the power exerted on an object
• Many common poles and hooks
• K-tool is used to pull lock cylinders.

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Common Pushing/Pulling Tools
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• Pike pole
• Plaster hook
• Ceiling hook
• Clemens hook
• Drywall hook
• Multipurpose hook
• Roofmans hook
• San Francisco hook

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Pike Pole
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• Wood or fiberglass pole with sharpened point
  metal head attached to one end
• Primarily used to pull down ceilings
• Available in different sizes, handles, and head
  configurations
• Head designs vary for different ceiling types.

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Pike Pole
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• Most common size 4' to 6' for use on 10'
  ceilings
• Closet hooks are 2' to 4'.
• 12' to 14' are for high ceilings.

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Prying/Spreading Tools
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• May be as simple as a pry bar or complex as a
  hydraulic spreader
• There are many variations.
• Pry barhardened steel rod that is tapered on one
  end
• Halliganincludes a sharp pick, flat prying
  surface, and a forked claw
• Hydraulic spreadersoften used for extrication

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Common Prying/Spreading Tools
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• Claw bar
• Crowbar
• Flat bar
• Halligan tool
• Hux bar
• Kelly tool
• Pry bar

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Striking Tools
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• Used to apply impact force
• Used to gain entry or make openings
• Axetwo types flat-head or pick-head
• Both have a wide cutting blade.
• Flat-head can be used as a striking tool.
• Flat-head and a Halligan are called the irons.
• Pick-head used for puncturing/pulling/prying.
• Spring-loaded center punchused primarily to
  break car windows

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Common Striking Tools
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• Hammer
• Mallet
• Sledgehammer
• Maul
• Flat-head axe
• Pick-head axe
• Battering ram
• Chisel
• Spring-loaded center punch

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Cutting Tools
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• Tools with a sharp edge to sever an object
• Range from knives to saws and torches
• Each is designed for certain materials.
• Fire fighters can be injured and tools ruined if
  used incorrectly.
• Bolt cutters are often used to cut chains and
  padlocks.

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Common Cutting Tools
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• Axes
• Bolt cutters
• Saws
• Reciprocating saws
• Cutting torches
• Hydraulic shears
• Seatbelt cutter

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Saws
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• Two main categories
• Manual
• Mechanical
• Handsaws include
• Hacksaws
• Carpenters handsaw
• Coping saw
• Keyhole saw

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Mechanical Saws
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• Three main types
• Chain, rotary, reciprocating
• Faster than handsaws
• Conserve fire fighter energy
• Requires proper training
• Disadvantages
• Heavy and sometimes hard to start
• May require an electrical connection

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Chain Saws
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• Gasoline-powered or powered by electricity
• Special chains are good for cutting ventilation
  openings.

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Rotary Saws
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• Gasoline powered or electric
• Round metal blade with teeth or flat, abrasive
  composite disk
• Choice of blade depends on type of material to be
  cut.

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Reciprocating Saws
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• Powered by electricity or battery
• Blade moves back and forth.
• Different blades are used for different
  materials.
• Most commonly used to cut metal during vehicle
  extrication

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Hydraulic Shears
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• Requires extensive training
• Used with hydraulic spreaders and rams for
  vehicle extrication
• Quickly cuts metal posts and bars

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Cutting Torches
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• Produce extremely high temperature flame
• Heats heavy steel objects until they melt and can
  be cut through (5,700 F)
• Specialized training required

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Multiple Function/Special Use Tools
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• Reduce the tools needed to achieve a goal
• Includes rakes, brooms, shovels, air bags, come
  alongs, and tripods

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Forcible Entry
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• Locked, blocked entries and security systems
  challenge forcible entry tasks.
• Typical tools for forced entry
• Axe
• Prying tool
• K tool
• Other prying tools
• Many techniques may be required to gain entry.

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Interior Attack Team Tools
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• Interior attack team is responsible for advancing
  hose lines, locating and extinguishing the fire.
• Basic tools for reaching the fire
• Prying tools (Halligan Tool)
• Striking and cutting tools (Flat-head axe)
• Pushing tool (short pike pole)
• Hand light

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Search and Rescue
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• Search team carries same tools as interior attack
  team.
• Pushing tool (Short pike pole)
• Prying tool (Halligan tool)
• Striking tool (Sledgehammer or flat-head axe
• Cutting tool (axe)
• Hand light

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Search and Rescue
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• In addition, may need closet hook, thermal
  imaging camera, portable lights, and lifelines

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Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC)
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• RIC stands ready for immediate assistance to
  lost, trapped, injured fire fighters.
• Standard interior firefighting tools used by RIC
  plus specialty tools for fire fighter rescue
• All equipment should be staged for immediate use.
• Special equipment includes thermal imaging
  camera, portable lighting, lifelines, prying
  tools, striking tools, cutting tools, SCBA, and
  spare air cylinders.

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Tool Staging
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• Many departments have SOPs for staging tools at
  scenes.
• Salvage covers at designated location for layout
  of commonly used tools
• Saves time and energy
• SOPs specify staged tools and equipment.
• Location may be outside or on convenient interior
  floor of high-rise structure.
• Apparatus operators may transport tools to/from
  staging area.

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Maintenance
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• Tools and equipment must be maintained to ensure
  readiness.
• Use power tools only with proper training.
• Use equipment only for its intended purpose.
• Clean tools according to manufacturer.
• Clean and inspect all hand tools after use.
• Avoid painting tools.
• Power equipment should be left in ready state.

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Hand Tool Maintenance
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• Remove all dirt and debris.
• If appropriate, use soap and water.
• Dry tools completely.
• Sharpen cutting tools.
• Inspect for damage.

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Power Tool Readiness
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• Remove debris, clean and dry unit.
• Fill with fresh fuel.
• Replace dull/damaged blades/chains.
• Inspect belts.
• Ensure guards are in place.
• Clean and inspect hydraulic hoses.
• Inspect power cords for damage.