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Permalink Reply by R. Mellen on February 15, 2011 at 4:57pm

Irons are my go-to, but I keep a Gerber Hinderer in my gear. It has a built in 02 key in the handle, and since my volunteer department goes on so many medical runs (and almost every pt gets O2), I've used that more than most other functions, including the blade.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on February 15, 2011 at 6:42pm

If you want to extend your horizons as a firefighter/officer, then might I suggest you move on from the handtool mode, which in my world is what firefighters focus on. When you add the word officer, then the rules change and you have to tool up as they say.

Tool 1 that MUST be mastered: The computer... internet, blogging, researching, google searching, etc. This also includes a thorough knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite that includes word, excel, and powerpoint. Knowing how to use a hand tool, and having a favorite is cool but again, as a company officer, you have to be able to teach / explain to others how to use your favorite tools and these are the tools you need as a company officer to accomplish that task.

Tool 2 focuses on wildland response and actually includes more than one hand held tool.

1. Portable GPS
2. Blackberry or iPhone and internet searching (weather, information, etc.)
3. Portable weather station (Kestrel style)

Why would I be championing use of these electronic tools for company officers?

Imagine you have been given an assignment, mid-ridge to protect a house on a mountain side terraced location, arriving on scene at 03:00 AM with an active fire miles below your location. Do you have access to a topo map to check out elevation and what is around you? Sure would be a nice tool to have, right?

When the weather abruptly changes, resulting in a dust storm blowing at your from winds blowing up canyon, what are you thinking about? Maybe check and see if there have been some significant changes in the barometric pressure? Or maybe, there is a fire down canyon pushing a large volume of fire up the mountainside?

Not having the proper tools and equipment when committing resources, especially in situations where you were not able to fully scout out the area and become familiar with ALL the associated hazards, including topography and slope can and in this example did prove to be fatal for an entire engine company crew and ride-a-long.

Having the proper tools, as a company officer involves use of the latest technology for very little money considering the potential outcome and impact our yours and others lives. And all based on the decision(s) that YOU made.

"Failure to prepare is preparing for failure... Be prepared..."

CBz

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Permalink Reply by Chris Weber on February 15, 2011 at 9:48pm

Set of irons are still my favorite.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Laroche on March 8, 2011 at 10:58am

Thanks for the input. Though my intent was to try and search new tools and/or new ways to use them to get improvements for my service, you outlined a fact that is really important: operations start in day to day preparation and very valuable work can be done in an office.

My position as a Lt gets me to sometimes Be an OC but sometimes be hands on with my team on bigger interventions. So I need to know how to open a door (should we be short staffed) but I also need to know my territory, mutual aid and everything.

No time to read through all the posts now but I think someone already said the best tool we have is sitting between our shoulders and helmet.

Let's use it ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Gary "lil boombatz" D'Achille on March 8, 2011 at 3:55pm

Running at a truck company usually I'll grab irons if my seat assignment is not ladder placement oic or apartment pack. If I do anything with a tool and one person in my team has a set...i'll go with a 6 or 8ft new york hook (full metal no fiberglass) or cutters edge for the roof

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Permalink Reply by backsteprescue on April 3, 2011 at 3:11pm

I've got a 4 foot talon hook that I guess you could call my "personal tool" since I bought it. But I bring that in with me on all fires. Not much I can't do with it. Whether its forcing doors, pulling ceiling, opening up walls, etc. there isn't much that tool can't do. And if I've got to get over a taller fence or wall while going around the rear of a structure, I just throw a hitch in my webbing, slide it over the head and use the tool as a step to get up on the wall and pull it over with the webbing.

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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on April 3, 2011 at 3:18pm

As a chief, I usually have a portable radio, a light, and if one is available, a TIC. I carry two cutting tools, 20 foot webbing loop w/carabiner, 20-foot webbing with elephant ear end loops, a spare flashlight, and a few door chocks.

I also carry a set of irons, bolt cutters, and a set of small hand tools in my ride.

I don't use them often, but they're worth their weight in gold when needed.

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Permalink Reply by Moose on May 27, 2011 at 9:24am

I have a decent technique for pulling ceilings faster...
Its called the "Punch" technique, and its featured in the training minutes videos that we have here on Fire Engineering web site, check it out.
I used it many times on scenes and I usually can pull two or three rooms faster than 2 guys can pull one the traditional way.
Just use any style hook, or halligan, punch an outline around where you want to open up so you make a seam, than using the hook you shake the piece, loosening the nail heads from the sheetrock, and it falls out as a whole piece that you can than pick up and throw out the window or get it out of the way, and you dont have the pile of debris to remove when its time to investigate. Also for investigative purposes, you can use the large sections of drywall to put back together like a puzzle in order to get a better idea of fire travel. Works VERY well.

Otherwise I usually have a six foot drywall hook and a halligan, I can do a lot with them including making a vent hole in the roof with the halligan, just like with a flat head you use it to break open the shingles and plywood to make the hole. When on the roof you can use the halligan to break open windows on the top floor by tying it off to a length of rope or webbing and swinging it into the window.

The FUBAR is a great tool, it has the "grabber" on the end that fits studs and you can pry the studs away to make a breach into the wall for egress purposes as well as other uses. Im trying to get our department to get one.

Above all, my favorite tool is...TRAINING. Unless you know what you are doing with the tools what good are they? Unless you know about building construction and its contributions to fire spread what good is that set of irons? Ventilation is another key area in training, a lot of firefighters just simply love breaking shit like windows and doors...is the door unlocked??? Can the window simply be opened or is there a need for an egress opening? Training is the most important tool any firefighter can have.
Stay Safe

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Permalink Reply by StlBombero on May 28, 2011 at 10:16pm

Pike Pole, I notice lots of guys on here are carrying around forcible entry tools that look really cool but once you're inside who's pulling ceiling and walls? Sure an axe can open up some a wall but you'll wear out quick lifting it over head to open up a ceiling. I haven't chopped much INSIDE a structure, but I've pulled lots of ceiling.

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Permalink Reply by Marc Hansen on May 29, 2011 at 12:00pm

Nothing beats a good set of irons....plus a 20' piece of webbing and a quality multi tool. Hooks and poles are good structure fires but wont get you in the door for an unconscious patient, are a little taxing to use at vehicle fires, too large to prop elevator doors, and arn't solid enough to use as an anchor point if I have to bail in a hurry. A good quality multitool is awesome for all sorts of quick fixes for stuff that breaks at the wrong time. Just my 2 cents worth on multiuse tools

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Permalink Reply by Mark McShane Jr on September 5, 2011 at 12:23pm

Irons or a new york hook.

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Permalink Reply by Garrett Gee on September 8, 2011 at 9:20pm

I really want to try one of those newer TNT multi-tools.  If i like one, I might pick one up to put in my gear since our department won't

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