Gresham Fire and Emergency Services photographer Greg Muhr

Gresham, Oregon November 29th 2012 Window bars can be a first arriving problem in any community. Truck company or not, is there a plan?

Gresham Fire and Emergency Services photographer Greg Muhr

July 21, 2007, Captain Matthew Burton and Engineer Scott Desmond were performing primary search of a single family dwelling in San Pablo, California. During their search, they were trapped by rapidly deteriorating conditions and died as a result of thermal injuries and smoke inhalation. Two civilian occupants also perished in the fire.

Common anchoring and attachment types

Expandable anchors

Wedge anchors

Lag screw

Sleeved anchor

Attachment points are nails or lags into wood framing or siding Use Halligan forks to grab and pry on or behind attachment point

Attachment points are sleeve anchors set in masonry joints. Hit nail directly with striking tool to fail mortar around anchor and pry conventionally

Attachment points are nails into expandable anchor set in brick. Hit nail directly with striking tool to fail around anchor and pry behind the attachment point with forks or adze conventionally

Initiate prying bars or covering away from the building on one side or the bottom with the Halligan. Change to the steel hook for more length and leverage

Attachment is inside window opening to masonry with screws into an expandable anchor. Attack attachment frame with adze of halligan or hook & halligan married

If unsuccessful, fail end of row brick with pick of halligan and striking tool then pry.

Wedge anchor set into mortar joint. Bar held on by nut and washer. Attack wedge anchor with striking tool. Then pry behind with forks or adze of halligan. Note previous anchors.

Attachment point is recessed lag screw with a tack weld to bar. Attack tack weld. Place adze on bar at the attachment and strike to fail weld. Strike lag and attempt conventional pry Hollow bar alternative

Hollow bar alternative- Attachment point attack proves difficult cut hollow bar with bolt cutters

Photo from Eric Guida and www.Firenuggets.com

Wedge anchor in mortar joint. Bar held on by nuts and washer then bar is folded over to prevent wrench access. Strike down with flat head axe or sledge to fail mortar and pry conventionally with halligan and or steel hook

Attachment is a weld to the window frame. Strike downward and horizontally to fail the weld at the frame. Pry by hand or with hook due to lack or surface area for halligan.

Gresham Oregon Fire Department Contra Costa County CA Fire Department Brotherhood Instructors Josh Materi Chief Mike Alder San Bernardino City Fire Gabe Angemi Camden NJ Fire Department FireNuggets.com Eric Guida Vent Enter Search Irons and Ladders Fire Service Warrior Jason Jefferies West Colfax Avenue, Lakewood Colorado