By Chad Allison, Les Baker, Greg Jakubowski, Mike Kirby, Peter Kertzie & Kevin Nunn
What do you consider to be the items that you can’t live without when on duty–but they’re not necessarily the routine tools that every firefighter carries? To put it another way, what are some of the more unique items you carry, without which, you’d feel less prepared to face the day ahead? We asked those same questions of some of FireRescue magazine’s contributing authors. Here’s what they had to say.
Mike Kirby, Captain, Cincinnati Fire Department
The number one piece of equipment I carry is a smooth-bore, stacked-tip nozzle that’s 15/16″ and ½” in size. I’ve carried this nozzle ever since the days when we carried automatic nozzles for use when low-pressure situations didn’t provide sufficient flow. Now, these nozzles are gone and I use the half-inch tip for penetration into deep-seated fires, overhaul, etc. It works great for breaking apart burning items, and for breaking plaster and drywall; it also acts as a hydraulic overhaul tool.
I also carry two types of hose straps. The first is an old canvas strap that has a hook on one end and a loop on the other for securing hose to a ladder or other item when hoisted vertically in a stairwell or exterior stretch. The second is a piece of 1″ webbing that’s about 2 feet long, with loops sewn in both ends, and a carabiner; it works the same way as the first strap. I’ve had to use two of these before, so that’s why I still carry both.
Greg Jakubowski, Chief, Lingohocken Fire Company, Bucks County, Pa.
When gearing up (or gearing down as a call winds down), I’m almost always wearing my turnout pants, so I keep some key items in my pants pockets, such as a window punch, ear plugs and a seatbelt cutter, all of which may be a bit different than the ordinary tools firefighters carry, but I also carry safety glasses, because I’ve found that they provide better protection than face shields; however, due to the advancements in helmets, both of these may become unnecessary.
Other items I carry include various lock picks; some go with the K tool, but some I’ve actually made myself. I also carry alarm keys, since I’ve had a lot of experience covering large campuses that have multiple alarm systems. Alarm keys definitely come in handy when trying to access various alarm panels, reset boxes, etc.
Peter Kertzie, Battalion Chief, Buffalo (N.Y.) Fire Department
We often work around noise. Yelling, screaming, power tools, crackling, banging and the sound of our own SCBA are just a few of the noises we have to contend with. Sometimes we may be called over the radio to give progress reports, and we must stop what we’re doing to answer. Many times, someone is called on the radio, but we may not hear clearly exactly who is being called, so we must stop what we’re doing and pay special attention to radio or verbal traffic. In either case, having to listen closely takes our attention away from what we’re doing. A simple fix is a radio earbud. It goes in one ear and you can hear every transmission clearly. The other ear can be devoted to what is going on around you that is not coming over the radio.
I also carry a portable CO detector, which is small enough to easily attach to my SCBA straps in the chest area. Monitoring the air is somewhat foreign to many of us, but we should get in the habit of checking the ambient air before giving up on the nice air that we brought with us inside our tanks. At one time in my department, once we opened the roof and started overhaul, we figured the air was fine. This, of course, was a dangerous assumption.
Lastly, I carry a pair of “vise grips.” There are many, many uses for these: to shut off gas, tighten or loosen a nut or bolt (on everything from a chainsaw to a chain-link fence.), clamp onto the pneumatic closer on a storm door and hold it open, pull a padlock and chain taut so someone can cut it with a rotary saw or bolt cutters, turn a lock cylinder, pinch and crimp a leaking pipe or tubing (like a gas or water line)–the list goes on.
Kevin Nunn, Lieutenant, Pigeon Forge (Tenn.) Fire Department
I carry a pad of paper and a pen. They may seem basic and simple items, but they’ve become absolutely necessary as I’ve worked my way through the ranks. As a lieutenant, being without a pen and paper on the fireground becomes a liability. I take notes from the incident commander (IC), or if I’m the IC, I note incoming units and give assignments, or I simply write notes to myself about the incident. Tip: The fact that we provide emergency services in all types of weather requires an all-weather approach to note-taking. The Rite In the Rain brand of products provides a multitude of pens, pads of paper and spiral-bound notebooks for note-taking in all types of weather.
Chad Allison, Captain, San Diego Fire-Rescue Department
In my turnout pants, I keep a $20 bill folded in a small, throw-down wallet with a copy of my driver’s license and fire department ID card (our policy is to always have ID on you). I carry the $20 because I’m constantly heading out of the station on a call without grabbing my wallet out of my station pants. Inevitably, an issue arises where I need cash, but no one on the rig has any on hand. Although it may sound unimportant, a cold drink after a long stint in turnouts is key to re-hydrating yourself; a cup of coffee on a chilly, stand-around response keeps you a bit warmer; something to eat between calls because you left your lunch or dinner on the table back in quarters can help maintain your energy level. Whatever the reason, $20 can typically cover it.
Another item I carry: my cell phone. Knowing how to use just a few features on your smartphone can make it a huge asset. Inevitably, it’s while responding to a structure fire call that my mobile data computer (MDC) on the rig decides to stop working. I rely on the mapping or directions feature of the MDC to get me to an address that I’m not familiar with, especially when we’re responding into an adjacent district, or when I’m working a trade or overtime shift in a district that I haven’t a clue about and I’m looking at the sun to decipher east from west. But with the map feature on my phone, the MDC issue is easily overcome; I can plug in the needed address and quickly get directions. The cell phone is also helpful when I don’t want to broadcast to the entire world certain information, such as, “Dispatch, Engine 1: Advise our battalion chief that we’ve been involved in a vehicle accident with a parked car.” Further, having any range of phone numbers preprogrammed into your phone can create a whole list of resources available to you at the scene of an incident or outside the station: hazmat, rescue, EMS supervisor, dispatch supervisor, your chief or direct supervisor, the police department, other firefighters, family, friends, pizza delivery, etc. If you don’t know the number, you can find it on the Internet.
The Standard Stuff
Of course, generally speaking, there are some items that most, if not all, firefighters carry: a radio, a flashlight, cable/wire cutters, webbing, a door chock/wedge, a pocket knife, a screwdriver, etc. All of our contributors listed these items as necessary. Here’s what they had to say about a few of them.
Cable/Wire Cutters
“Of any hand tool, a pair of cable cutters will save your life. As drop ceilings fall, as duct work unravels and as wiring comes apart within a structure, cable cutters that are readily accessible in your pocket will save your life or the life of your partner.” — Kevin Nunn
“Firefighters’ gear is covered with entanglement hazards and unfortunately, even with a lot of training, some cannot be cleared with less invasive techniques. An industrial-grade pair of wire side cutters is necessary to get disentangled from any wire obstructions that cannot be cleared.” — Les Baker
Rescue Tool/Multi-Tool
“The Channellock Rescue Tool is a versatile tool that has multiple uses. I used it to pry and as a spanner most often when I held the rank of firefighter. As a fire engineer, this tool was extremely useful when making spanner tight connections or uncoupling hose. As a truck engineer, it was my responsibility to secure utilities, and I used this tool time and time again. On vehicle accidents, one of the first things I did was cut the battery cables with this tool.” — Chad Allison
“The Res-Q-Rench folding spanner multi-tool has a variety of uses, including a spanner wrench, a window punch, a seatbelt cutter, an oxygen cylinder valve wrench and a residential gas valve shut-off. In addition, it can be used as a small pry tool and door stop. Given its compact and lightweight size, it’s a perfect multipurpose tool with a lot of real-world uses.” — Les Baker
Door Chock
“By far, my favorite (non-home-made wedge) is the Wedge-It by Open Door Inc. This device can be used as a wedge under a door or in the hinge space, or will hook over a hinge to hold the wedge and door in place. Overall, no matter how this device lands, it can be used to hold open a door.” — Kevin Nunn
“I love the Fat Ivan door chock because it’s heavy duty, easy to use, fast and practical. I use this tool on medical aids or fire responses in apartment buildings with locked entrances. It’s virtually indestructible and will keep any door open, even heavy doors, without the threat of it getting knocked out of place, being crushed or falling out of the jamb like a wooden or plastic wedge is capable of doing.” — Chad Allison
Gloves
“I carry structural firefighting gloves, as well as work gloves, because they could be needed on just about any incident; I also want my work gloves because they’re handy when performing non-firefighting tasks. For example, I wear them when rolling hose so that I don’t damage or soak my structural gloves. I also carry rescue gloves. I use them during vehicle extrication work because they provide better protection than work gloves and are more nimble than structural gloves. Lastly, I carry EMS gloves for medical calls.” — Greg Jakubowski
“Firefighting gloves have added thermal protection over other gloves, but a good quality pair of work gloves provides a measurable amount of protection and allows for more dexterity. These gloves are beneficial during clean-up, motor vehicle collisions, apparatus/equipment maintenance, etc.” — Les Baker
“I always carry an extra set of gloves. While we should learn how to do most tasks with our gloves on, sometimes we pull one or both off and then drop or lose them. Also, during cold weather, a dry set of gloves will make your pinkies feel all cozy and warm. Simply reaching in your pocket and pulling out a fresh set out will ensure protection for your precious digits.” — Peter Kertzie
Conclusion
There are a multitude of products on the market today that are useful to the fire service, and the innovations just keep coming. Whether your favorite is a standard tool, such as door chock or multi-tool, or something a little more out of the ordinary, each piece of equipment makes the job that much easier, which in turn makes the fireground safer for all.
Sidebar 1: Equipment Gear Tests
Lansky Sharpeners’ Firefighter Battle Axe
Lansky Sharpeners’ Firefighter Battle Axe excels when performing supportive fireground tasks
www.firefighternation.com/article/professional-development/gear-test-lansky-sharpeners-firefighter-battle-axe
RHINO Windshield Cutter
The RHYNO Windshield Cutter & kit make quicker–& safer–work of vehicle glass
www.firefighternation.com/article/extrication/gear-test-rhyno-windshield-cutter
Fire Hooks Unlimited Fidney Tool Belt
The versatile, comfortable Fidney tool belt by Fire Hooks Unlimited carries multiple tools, allowing firefighters to keep their hands free
www.firefighternation.com/article/professional-development/gear-test-fire-hooks-unlimited-fidney-tool-belt
Boker Plus VOX Access Tool
Boker’s Plus VOX Access Tool is a sturdy, compact, prying & glass-cutting tool
www.firefighternation.com/article/extrication/gear-test-boker-plus-vox-access-tool
Dräger’s UCF 9000 Thermal Imaging Camera
The multitude of impressive features on Dräger’s UCF 9000 makes it a shame to call it just a thermal imaging camera
www.firefighternation.com/article/technology/gear-test-dr-ger-s-ucf-9000-thermal-imaging-camera
Lonestar Axe’s Pig Hand Tool
Lonestar Axe’s Pig tool proves to be an ideal multi-use hand tool for various truck ops
www.firefighternation.com/article/professional-development/gear-test-lonestar-axe-s-pig-hand-tool
HexArmor Chrome Series Rescue Gloves
HexArmor’s Chrome Series rescue gloves are extremely resistant to cuts, punctures, impact, abrasions–& more
www.firefighternation.com/article/firefighter-safety-and-health/gear-test-hexarmor-chrome-series-rescue-gloves
