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Fire Fighter

Tools and

Equipment

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Objectives (1 of 5)

• Describe the general purposes of tools

and equipment.

• Describe the safety considerations for the • 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.

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Objectives (2 of 5)

• List and describe tools and equipment that

are used for rotating.

• List and describe tools and equipment that • 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.

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Objectives (3 of 5)

• List and describe tools and equipment that

are used for striking.

• List and describe tools and equipment that • List and describe tools and equipment that

are used for cutting.

• Describe the tools used in response and

scene size-up activities.

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Objectives (4 of 5)

• Describe the tools used in a forcible entry.

• Describe the tools used during an interior

attack.attack.

• Describe the tools used in search and

rescue operations.

• Describe ventilation tools.

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Objectives (5 of 5)

• Describe the hand tools needed during an

overhaul assignment.

• Describe the importance of properly • 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.

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Introduction

• Tools are used for a wide range of

activities.

• Fire fighters must know how to use tools • Fire fighters must know how to use tools

and equipment

– Effectively

– Efficiently

– Safely

– In dark, limited visibility environments

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General Considerations

• Hand tools

– Extend or multiply body actions

– Increase task effectiveness– Increase task effectiveness

– Use simple machine principles

• Power tools

– Powered by electric motors or internal combustion engines

– Faster and more efficient

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Safety

• Safety is the prime consideration for use of

tools and equipment.

• Safe equipment avoids accidental injury • Safe equipment avoids accidental injury

to:

– Fire fighters

– Other responders

– Victims

– Bystanders

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Safe Operation Requires PPE

• Approved helmet

• Firefighting hood

• Eye protection

• Bunker pants

• Boots

• Self-contained • Eye protection

• Face shield

• Gloves

• Turnout coats

• Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)

• Personal alert safety system (PASS)

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Conditions of Use/

Operating Conditions• Learning under optimal conditions.

• As proficiency increases, practice under

more realistic conditions.more realistic conditions.

• Eventually, be able to use tools with no

visibility.

• Requires ability to work safely in noise and

around other activities

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Effective and Efficient Use (1 of 2)

• Use the least amount of energy to

accomplish the task.

• Objective is to complete task safely and • 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 fire-ground operations.

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Effective and Efficient Use (2 of 2)

• Fire department may have standard

operating guidelines specify tools and

equipment needed for specific situationsequipment needed for specific situations

• Some carry a selection of tools and

equipment in the pockets of bunker pants.

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Functions (1 of 3)

• Rotating (assembly or disassembly)

• Pushing or pulling

• Prying or spreading• Prying or spreading

• Striking

• Cutting

• Multiple use

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Functions (2 of 3)

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Functions (3 of 3)

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Rotating Tools (1 of 2)

• Apply rotational force to turn

• Most common are • Most common are screwdrivers, wrenches, and pliers

• Apparatus carry tool kits with a wide selection

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Rotating Tools (2 of 2)

• Various sizes and types of screw heads

• Spanner wrenches • Spanner wrenches are used for couplings.

• Hydrant wrenches are used for hydrants.

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Common Rotating Tools

• Box-end wrenches

• Gripping pliers

• Hydrant wrenches

• Pipe wrenches

• Screwdrivers

• Socket wrenches• Hydrant wrenches

• Open-end

wrenches

• Socket wrenches

• Spanner wrenches

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Pushing/Pulling Tools

• Extend fire fighter’s reach

• Increase the power • Increase the power exerted on an object

• Many different uses in fire department operations

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Pike Pole (1 of 2)

• Wood or fiberglass pole with sharpened

point metal head attached to one end

• Primarily used to pull down ceilings• Primarily used to pull down ceilings

• Available in different sizes, handles, and

head configurations

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Pike Pole (2 of 2)

• Most common size: 4' to 6' for use on 10' ceilings

• Head designs vary for different ceiling types.

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Common Pushing/Pulling

Tools• Ceiling hook

• Clemens hook

• Drywall hook• Drywall hook

• Multipurpose hook

• Pike pole

• Plaster hook

• Roofman’s hook

• San Francisco hook

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Prying/Spreading Tools

• May be as simple as a pry bar or complex as a hydraulic spreaderspreader

• There are many variations.

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Common Prying/Spreading

Tools (1 of 2)

• Claw bar

• Crowbar

• Flat bar• Flat bar

• Halligan tool

• Hux bar

• Kelly tool

• Pry bar

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Common Prying/Spreading

Tools (2 of 2)

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Striking Tools

• Used to apply impact force

• Used to gain entry or • Used to gain entry or make openings

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Common Striking Tools (1 of 2)

• Hammer

• Mallet

• Sledgehammer

• Pick-head axe

• Battering ram

• Chisel• Sledgehammer

• Maul

• Flat-head axe

• Chisel

• Spring-loaded

center punch

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Common Striking Tools (2 of 2)

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Cutting Tools

• Sharp edge to sever an object

• Range from knives to saws and torches

• Each is designed for certain materials.• Each is designed for certain materials.

• Fire fighters can be injured and tools

ruined if used incorrectly.

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Common Cutting Tools (1 of 2)

• Axes

• Bolt cutters

• Chain saws

• Handsaws

• Hydraulic shears

• Reciprocating saws• Chain saws

• Cutting torches

• Hacksaws

• Reciprocating saws

• Rotary saws

• Seatbelt cutter

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Common Cutting Tools (2 of 2)

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Saws

• Two main categories

– Manual

– Mechanical

• Handsaws include

– Hacksaws

– Carpenter’s handsaw

– Keyhole saw

– Coping saw

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Mechanical Saws

• Three main types

– Chain, rotary, reciprocating

• Faster than handsaws• Faster than handsaws

• Conserve fire fighter energy

• Requires proper training

• Heavy and sometimes hard to start

• May require an electrical connection

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Chain Saws

• Gasoline powered or powered by electricity

• Special chains are • Special chains are good for cutting ventilation openings.

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Rotary Saws

• Gasoline powered or electric

• Round metal blade • Round metal blade with teeth or flat, abrasive composite disk

• Choice of blade depends on type of material to be cut.

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Reciprocating Saws

• Powered by electricity or battery

• Different blades for • Different blades for different materials

• Most commonly used to cut metal during vehicle extrication

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Hydraulic Shears

• Requires extensive training

• Used with hydraulic spreaders and rams

for vehicle extricationfor vehicle extrication

• Quickly cuts metal posts and bars

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Cutting Torches

• Produce extremely high-temperature flame

• Heats heavy steel objects until they melt and can be cut through (5,700 °F)

• Specialized training required

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Multiple Function/Special-Use

Tools• Multiple-function tools

reduce the tools needed to achieve a goalgoal

• Special-use tools perform other functions:– Rakes, brooms, and

shovels for ground fires

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Phases of Use

• Basic phase of fire suppression

– Response/size-up

– Forcible entry– Forcible entry

– Interior attack

– Search and rescue

– Rapid intervention

– Ventilation

– Overhaul

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Response/Size-Up

• Consider information from dispatch.

– May indicate the nature and gravity of the situation and problems that might arisesituation and problems that might arise

• Begin considering tools needed.

• On arrival, company officer will size-up

and develop action plans following SOPs.

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Forcible Entry

• Locked or blocked entries and security systems

• Typical tools for forced entry

– Axe

– Prying tool

– K tool

– Other prying tools

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Interior Attack

• Interior attack involves multiple tasks

performed simultaneously or in rapid

succession.succession.

• 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.

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Interior Attack Team Tools

• Interior attack team is responsible for

advancing hose lines, locating and

extinguishing the fire.extinguishing the fire.

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Search and Rescue (1 of 2)

• Search team carries same tools as interior

attack team.

– Pushing tool (short pike pole)– Pushing tool (short pike pole)

– Prying tool (Halligan tool)

– Striking tool (Sledgehammer or flat-head axe

– Cutting tool (axe)

– Hand light

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Search and Rescue (2 of 2)

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

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Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC)

• Ready for immediate assistance to lost,

trapped, or injured fire fighters.

• All equipment should be staged.• All equipment should be staged.

• Special equipment includes thermal

imaging camera, portable lighting, lifelines,

prying tools, striking tools, cutting tools,

SCBA, and spare air cylinders.

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Ventilation (1 of 2)

• Similar to forcible entry

• Power saws and axes are common

• Fans are used to remove smoke or • Fans are used to remove smoke or

introduce fresh air.

• Horizontal ventilation requires opening

doors and windows.

• Interior openings may be created.

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Ventilation (2 of 2)

• Vertical ventilation requires openings in the roof.

• Special tools needed include positive pressure fans, exhaust fans, cutting tools, and long pike poles.

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Overhaul (1 of 2)

• Examines fire scene to extinguish hidden

fires

• Burned debris must be removed.• 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

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Overhaul (2 of 2)

• Prying and striking tools used to open closed spaces

• Shovels, brooms, and rakes used to clear debris

• Thermal imaging used to “see” hot spots

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Tools Used in Overhaul

• Pushing tools

• Prying tools

• Striking tools

• Water-removal

equipment

• Ventilation • Striking tools

• Cutting tools

• Debris-removal

tools

• Ventilation

equipment

• Portable lighting

• Thermal imaging

camera

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Tool Staging

• Many departments have SOPs for staging

tools at scenes.

– Salvage covers at designated location for – Salvage covers at designated location for layout of commonly used tools

• SOPs specify staged tools and equipment.

• Additional personnel may transport tools to

and from staging area.

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Maintenance (1 of 2)

• Tools and equipment must be maintained to ensure readiness.– Tools and equipment must be ready for use – Tools and equipment must be ready for use

before you respond to an emergency incident.

• Use power equipment only after you have been instructed on its use.

• Use equipment only for its intended purpose.

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Hand Tool Maintenance

• Remove all dirt and debris.

• If appropriate, use soap and water.

• Dry tools completely.• Dry tools completely.

• Sharpen cutting tools.

• Inspect for damage.

• Avoid painting tools.

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Power Tool “Readiness”—Fire Fighter II Standard (1 of 2)

• Remove debris, clean and dry unit.

• Fill with fresh fuel.

• Replace dull or damaged blades.• Replace dull or damaged blades.

• Inspect belts.

• Ensure guards are in place.

• Clean and inspect hydraulic hoses.

• Inspect power cords for damage.

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Power Tool “Readiness”—Fire Fighter II Standard (2 of 2)

• Clean, inspect, and test all fittings.

• Start to ensure it operates properly.

• Empty tanks on water vacuums.• Empty tanks on water vacuums.

• Clean and dry tanks, hoses, and nozzles

on water vacuums.

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Summary (1 of 2)

• Fire fighters must understand purpose of

each tool and piece of equipment on

apparatus:apparatus:

– In all fire suppression phases

– In smoke, darkness, decreased visibility, limited motion

– Location

– Safe, effective operation

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Summary (2 of 2)

• Most tools/equipment perform one or more function(s):– Rotating (assembly/disassembly)

– Pushing or pulling– Pushing or pulling

– Prying or spreading

– Striking or cutting

• Proper maintenance ensures proper operation during emergency.