We were sitting around the firehouse table the other day talking to a couple of rookies and the subect came up (as it always does) of what tools do you carry with you in your turnout gear an how do you carry them...
So, In my right bunker pants pocket I carry 20' of 1" tube webbing and a carabiner. In the left side is a back-up flashlight and IV set up pack.
In my right jacket pocket in a old "hose pouch" I have channel locks, screwdriver, punch and knife.
In the left side I have Door chocks, nails, shove knifes, 8' section of webbing...
Coat: In my left pocket is 15 foot of weebing and a non locking caribeener, and 2 sets of work gloves. Right pocket is several door chocks and 2 hing hooks (self made), and electrical tape. Radio pocket there is a few pens and a sharpie marker.
Bunker pants: Left pocket 20 feet of weebing with a non locking caribeener, and EMS scissors. Right pocket is a gerber tool, cable cutters, multi head screw driver, serated knife, and channle lock pliers with the ends modified to the curved and straight kerry keys.
SWAT BAG: I carrie this bag on the rig with me and it caries tools I use but they are for special situations that so not occur often. In this bag I carry an adjustable wrench, wire brush, folding spanners, 40 feet of rope, a towel, extrication gloves,safety glasses, measuring wheel,extra nomex, extra fire gloves and extra socks.
Additionally I carry 50 feet of rope with a non locking caribeener attached to my airpack, and a VULCAN stream light, My fire gloves are attached to my coat
They call me Inspector Gadget.
I carry: Wooden Wedges for doors and sprinklers, helmet light, flash light on the coat, Leatherman tool, window punch, 2-foot 1" webbing, an assortment of Allen wrenches, a pull station key, battery cable cutters, Phillips head and flat head screw drivers, a battery post tool, tin snips, wire snips, 30' of self-rescue rope with 2 carabiners, and a pair of utility gloves.
I never have to go back to the truck to fetch anything because it's all in my pockets. That's what earned me that nickname.
Now I know why I got a laugh with my hand tools comment. On the back of the grass rig eh? We do a lot of work that way too.
Now, 'girlie' essentials? I'm certainly not girlie, but my small truck pack has lip balm, eye drops, tissues (though we have toilet paper rolls on all vehicles - just in case), insect repellant, analgeasics, hayfever meds, camera, binoculars, UHF radio, clasp knife... Hmm, sounds a bit like a womans handbag doesn't it? All good stuff, all used but even though it's in my old Army bumbag, I don't wear it.
I like the xtra set of gloves we had an old restaurant burn down a month ago and as I got of the truck I put on my glove instead of gloves even though I had trained the night before and l replaced both gloves in my pouch (yeah I know they have glove straps) so I was Michael Jacksoning it until I borrowed a glove from the pump operator a little later... luckily this was a surround and drown night.
Actually Jake, I only carry my PBI hood and gloves. My firefighters carry everything else I need for me. :)
Plus I have all my equipment in my Duty Rig I drive.