Firefighter Tools and Equipment Guide

1. Fire Fighter Tools and Equipment

2. 8 Objectives (1 of 5) • Describe the general purposes of tools and equipment. • Describe the safety considerations for the use of tools and equipment. • Describe why it is important to use tools and equipment effectively. • Describe why it is important to know where tools are stored.

3. 8 Objectives (2 of 5) • List and describe tools and equipment that are used for rotating. • List and describe tools and equipment that are used for pushing or pulling. • List and describe tools and equipment that are used for prying or spreading.

4. 8 Objectives (3 of 5) • List and describe tools and equipment that are used for striking. • List and describe tools and equipment that are used for cutting. • Describe the tools used in response and scene size-up activities.

5. 8 Objectives (4 of 5) • Describe the tools used in a forcible entry. • Describe the tools used during an interior attack. • Describe the tools used in search-and-rescue operations. • Describe ventilation tools.

6. 8 Objectives (5 of 5) • Describe the hand tools needed during an overhaul assignment. • Describe the importance of properly maintaining tools and equipment. • Describe how to clean and inspect hand tools. • Describe how to maintain power plants and power tools.

7. 8 Introduction • 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

8. 8 General Considerations • 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

9. 8 Safety • Safety is the prime consideration for use of tools and equipment. • Safe equipment avoids accidental injury to: • Fire fighters • Other responders • Victims • Bystanders

10. 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 8 Safe Operation Requires PPE

11. 8 Conditions of Use/ Operating Conditions • 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.

12. 8 Effective and Efficient Use (1 of 2) • 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.

13. 8 Effective and Efficient Use (2 of 2) • 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.

14. 8 Functions • Rotating (assembly or disassembly) • Pushing or pulling • Prying or spreading • Striking • Cutting • Multiple use

15. 8 Rotating Tools (1 of 2) • Apply rotational force to turn • Most common are screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers • Requires basic skills • Apparatus carry tool kits with a wide selection

16. 8 Rotating Tools (2 of 2) • Various sizes and types of screw heads • Spanner wrenches are used for couplings. • Hydrant wrenches are used for hydrants.

17. 8 Common Assembly/Disassembly Tools • Box-end wrenches • Gripping pliers • Hydrant wrenches • Open-end wrenches • Pipe wrenches • Screwdrivers • Socket wrenches • Spanner wrenches

18. 8 Pushing/Pulling Tools • Extend fire fighter’s reach • Increase the power exerted on an object • Many common poles and hooks • K-tool is used to pull lock cylinders.

19. 8 Common Pushing/Pulling Tools • Pike pole • Plaster hook • Ceiling hook • Clemens hook • Drywall hook • Multipurpose hook • Roofman’s hook • San Francisco hook

20. 8 Pike Pole (1 of 2) • 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.

21. 8 Pike Pole (2 of 2) • Most common size: 4' to 6' for use on 10' ceilings • Closet hooks are 2' to 4'. • 12' to 14' are for high ceilings.

22. 8 Prying/Spreading Tools • May be as simple as a pry bar or complex as a hydraulic spreader • There are many variations. • Pry bar—hardened steel rod that is tapered on one end • Halligan—includes a sharp pick, flat prying surface, and a forked claw • Hydraulic spreaders—often used for extrication

23. 8 Common Prying/Spreading Tools • Claw bar • Crowbar • Flat bar • Halligan tool • Hux bar • Kelly tool • Pry bar

24. 8 Striking Tools • Used to apply impact force • Used to gain entry or make openings • Axe—two 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 punch—used primarily to break car windows

25. 8 Common Striking Tools • Hammer • Mallet • Sledgehammer • Maul • Flat-head axe • Pick-head axe • Battering ram • Chisel • Spring-loaded center punch

26. 8 Cutting Tools • 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.

27. 8 Common Cutting Tools • Axes • Bolt cutters • Saws • Reciprocating saws • Cutting torches • Hydraulic shears • Seatbelt cutter

28. 8 Saws • Two main categories • Manual • Mechanical • Handsaws include • Hacksaws • Carpenter’s handsaw • Coping saw • Keyhole saw

29. 8 Mechanical Saws • 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

30. 8 Chain Saws • Gasoline-powered or powered by electricity • Special chains are good for cutting ventilation openings.

31. 8 Rotary Saws • 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.

32. 8 Reciprocating Saws • 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

33. 8 Hydraulic Shears • Requires extensive training • Used with hydraulic spreaders and rams for vehicle extrication • Quickly cuts metal posts and bars

34. 8 Cutting Torches • Produce extremely high temperature flame • Heats heavy steel objects until they melt and can be cut through (5,700° F) • Specialized training required

35. 8 Multiple Function/Special Use Tools • Reduce the tools needed to achieve a goal • Includes rakes, brooms, shovels, air bags, come alongs, and tripods

36. 8 Phases of Use • Each phase of fire suppression may require certain tools and equipment. • Basic phase of fire suppression • Response/Size-up • Forcible entry • Interior attack • Search and rescue • Rapid Intervention Crew • Ventilation • Overhaul

37. 8 Response/Size-Up • Consider information from dispatch. • May indicate the nature and gravity of the situation and problems that might arise • Begin considering tools needed. • On arrival, company officer will size-up and develop action plans following SOPs.

38. 8 Forcible Entry • 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.

39. 8 Interior Attack • Interior attack involves multiple tasks performed simultaneously or in rapid succession. • Basic tools should be carried by every crew member. • Specialized tools should be carried for particular assignments. • A basic set of tools includes a prying, striking, cutting, and pushing tool and a hand light.

40. 8 Interior Attack Team Tools • 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

41. 8 Search and Rescue (1 of 2) • 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

42. 8 Search and Rescue (2 of 2) • In addition, may need closet hook, thermal imaging camera, portable lights, and lifelines

43. 8 Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) • 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.

44. 8 Ventilation (1 of 2) • Many tools are the same as for forcible entry. • Power saws and axes are commonly used. • Fans are used to remove smoke or introduce fresh air. • Horizontal ventilation requires opening doors and windows. • Interior openings may need to be created.

45. 8 Ventilation (2 of 2) • Vertical ventilation requires openings in the roof. • Special tools needed include positive pressure fans, exhaust fans, cutting tools, and long pike poles.

46. 8 Overhaul (1 of 2) • Examines fire scene to extinguish hidden fires • Burned debris must be removed. • Accomplished using hand tools • Pike poles used to pull ceilings and open walls • Axes and saws used to open walls

47. 8 Overhaul (2 of 2) • Prying and striking tools used to open closed spaces • Shovels, brooms, and rakes used to clear debris • Thermal imaging used to “see” hot spots

48. Pushing tools Cutting tools Prying tools Striking tools Debris-removal tools Water-removal equipment Ventilation equipment Portable lighting Thermal imaging camera 8 Tools Used in Overhaul

49. 8 Tool Staging • 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.

50. 8 Maintenance • 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.