Fire Fighter Tools and Equipment

1
Fire Fighter Tools and Equipment
2
Objectives (1 of 5)
8

• 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
Objectives (2 of 5)
8

• 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
Objectives (3 of 5)
8

• 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
Objectives (4 of 5)
8

• 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
Objectives (5 of 5)
8

• 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
Introduction
8

• 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
General Considerations
8

• 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
Safety
8

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

10
Safe Operation Requires PPE
8

• 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

11
Conditions of Use/ Operating Conditions
8

• 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
Effective and Efficient Use (1 of 2)
8

• 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
Effective and Efficient Use (2 of 2)
8

• 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
Functions
8

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

15
Rotating Tools (1 of 2)
8

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

16
Rotating Tools (2 of 2)
8

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

17
Common Assembly/Disassembly Tools
8

• Box-end wrenches
• Gripping pliers
• Hydrant wrenches
• Open-end wrenches
• Pipe wrenches
• Screwdrivers
• Socket wrenches
• Spanner wrenches

18
Pushing/Pulling Tools
8

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

19
Common Pushing/Pulling Tools
8

• Pike pole
• Plaster hook
• Ceiling hook
• Clemens hook
• Drywall hook
• Multipurpose hook
• Roofmans hook
• San Francisco hook

20
Pike Pole (1 of 2)
8

• 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
Pike Pole (2 of 2)
8

• 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
Prying/Spreading Tools
8

• 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

23
Common Prying/Spreading Tools
8

• Claw bar
• Crowbar
• Flat bar
• Halligan tool
• Hux bar
• Kelly tool
• Pry bar

24
Striking Tools
8

• 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

25
Common Striking Tools
8

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

26
Cutting Tools
8

• 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
Common Cutting Tools
8

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

28
Saws
8

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

29
Mechanical Saws
8

• 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
Chain Saws
8

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

31
Rotary Saws
8

• 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
Reciprocating Saws
8

• 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
Hydraulic Shears
8

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

34
Cutting Torches
8

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

35
Multiple Function/Special Use Tools
8

• Reduce the tools needed to achieve a goal
• Includes rakes, brooms, shovels, air bags, come
  alongs, and tripods

36
Phases of Use
8

• 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
Response/Size-Up
8

• 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
Forcible Entry
8

• 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
Interior Attack
8

• 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
Interior Attack Team Tools
8

• 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
Search and Rescue (1 of 2)
8

• 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
Search and Rescue (2 of 2)
8

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

43
Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC)
8

• 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
Ventilation (1 of 2)
8

• 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
Ventilation (2 of 2)
8

• Vertical ventilation requires openings in the
  roof.
• Special tools needed include positive pressure
  fans, exhaust fans, cutting tools, and long pike
  poles.

46
Overhaul (1 of 2)
8

• 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
Overhaul (2 of 2)
8

• 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
Tools Used in Overhaul
8

• Pushing tools
• Cutting tools
• Prying tools
• Striking tools
• Debris-removal tools

• Water-removal equipment
• Ventilation equipment
• Portable lighting
• Thermal imaging camera

49
Tool Staging
8

• 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
Maintenance
8

• 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.

51
Hand Tool Maintenance
8

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

52
Power Tool Readiness (1 of 2)
8

• 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.

53
Power Tool Readiness (2 of 2)
8

• Clean, inspect and test all fittings.
• Start to ensure it operates properly.
• Empty tanks on water vacuums.
• Clean and dry tanks, hoses, and nozzles on water
  vacuums.

54
Summary (1 of 2)
8

• Fire fighters must understand purpose of each
  tool and piece of equipment on apparatus.
• Tools and equipment used in all fire suppression
  phases
• Tools and equipment used in smoke, darkness,
  decreased visibility, limited motion
• Fire fighters must know tool/equipment location.
• Fire fighters must know safe, effective operation.

55
Summary (2 of 2)
8

• Most tools/equipment perform one or more
  function(s)
• Rotating (assembly/disassembly)
• Pushing or pulling
• Prying or spreading
• Striking or cutting
• Fire fighters should know common tools for each
  phase of fire suppression sequence.
• Proper maintenance ensures proper operation
  during emergency.