You get the tone for a working structure fire... arrive on scene to an obvious room and contents fire with smoke coming from the eves. You jump off the rig and head to IC for your assignment. IC tells you to run truck company ops. and vent the roof. So you walk to the engine and grab..... a chansaw? a K12? an axe?

I've seen all three used to vent a roof and can say that an experience ff can vent a roof with an axe just as quick as I can with either of the two power tools. Personally, I'm grabbing the K12. Even with it being heavier then the chainsaw, I find I can cut quicker and straighter with the K12. I also find it easier to roll over trusses with the K12. But hey... thats me, what are you using?

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Assuming this is a typical residential pitched roof, I'm taking a roof ladder, halligan for additional footing if needed, pike pole, then either the roofsaw/chainsaw or flathead axe. Yes, I said flathead axe.

Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuA3pSCRlW4
I love our K12. But if im training Ill take an axe to it lol
ahhh... you raise a good point. Different types of roofs. Yes, the original idea behind this discussion was for a typical residential pitched roof.
Cool video, going to try that. A flathead axe always starts...
Well I would get my orders before arrival, then perform our ventilation profile size-up, then identify the tools needed dependant upon the the roof construction, pitch, etc...... walk back to my engine..... thats funny.

I am arriving on a TRUCK.

Most guys think truck work is bull and jam, "drag your knuckles on the ground" type work, but in reality if done with any proficiency like this 32 SECOND video, it is ART with power tools brother. -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fesYnMcQp3s&feature=related

TCSS
FETC
It depends on the type of contruction and the personality of the Truck Co. If we are 1st due, then we split our 4 members up into 2 interior and 2 ventilation. If we are 2nd due, we operate as a 4 member team whatever the task may be. Regardless of the type of construction, we always bring a set of irons(we use the haligan for extra footing or to pry open skylights or scuttles and we will use the flat head backwards to open the roof). We also bring at least a 6ft roof hook(to open up the ceiling below or to reach over and vent windows if needed). If there is more than one roof or alot of roofing material, we will use the chainsaw, but we will always have our tools with us. We try to size up the roof and the material before we get up on it. We try to work fast but proficient.
You know a great thing with vertical ventilation now is to take the ridge vents off the peak. You'd be surprised that it's just as effective as cutting a hole and it's a heck of a lot easier than using tools, other than sounding the roof obiviously. Of course you'll only see the ridge vents with alot of your newer houses but when almost half your area was demolished by Katrina, this is an added luxury for for us of course :-)

We have K12's and a chain saw with a depth gauge. I prefer the chainsaw over the 2 but I'm not opposed to using either.
I perfer chainsaw to the other tools. tho i take a set of irons and hose line and roof ladder.
Very simple. A chainsaw with a pick head axe as a backup.
I agree with you... Power saw backed up by an axe. Always need a backup.
k12 is the way to go but on the last scene i cut the square with the k12 making a perfect opening for my axe after finding a second roof shingles and all under that cut!!! other than the akwardness of swingin the axe ona pitch i think i got the the second room in fairly close to the same amount of time as the 1st one with the k12
My 8lb axe and a Pike pole on all roofs with a pitch , any flat roof a saw and a pike

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