Art Stoike

Never Report to Work Without Your Tools

Having previously discussed the First Rule of Firefighting, which is “Never Create a Rescue the Rescuer Situation,” we now turn to the Second Rule of Firefighting, which is “Never Report to Work Without Your Tools.” Sounds silly, but it isn't; and it happens all the time. Have you ever seen firefighters reporting to command empty-handed or a first-due lieutenant telling his crew what tools to bring.

When an alarm is sounded, the dispatcher usually describes the incident. With this information, the responding firefighters must make the first decision: What tools are needed (generically) for the incident to which they are assigned.

For this commentary, let's assume that an engine is first due and nothing is showing. On arrival they are expected to investigate the incident. Upon investigating, if a serious fire is found, the first due companies must be able to handle it or hold on until others arrive to mount a heavier attack. The hand tools to accomplish this task should include tools to force entry, complete a small amount of opening up, extinguish any small fire found and complete the primary search.

So what tools should a first-due engine crew take with them? One 24-inch Halligan tool, one splitting maul, one hand-pump fire extinguisher and two wooden wedges per man. Believe it or not, five gallons of water can put out a lot of fire. Why a hand pump and not pressurized water? The hand pump can be refilled in the bathroom or a utility closet; can't do that with a press water. Those wedges hold doors so they don't close on you or pinch the hose. The engine might also take some 1¾-inch hose (about two lengths are enough for most attacks by a single company) and leave it at the entry door. REMEMBER the First Rule: “Never Create a Rescue the Rescuer Situation.” Two lengths will take you 100 feet into the building, far enough for a first-due company. Further entry requires more help. And, this attack line doubles as a lifeline if one is needed.

If the investigation reveals a fire larger than can be handled using the hand pump, the company can return to the entrance to get their attack line. A good engineer will anticipate that need and will take a dry line to the door as soon as the company enters and prepare to send water.

Trucks and squads have a similar first-due tool assignment at a structure fire. Let's keep in mind that the shape of the vehicle isn't the indicator of the responsibility. In some communities, they have no ladder truck, but the truck responsibility needs to be assigned anyway. The second vehicle (an engine, utility or an ambulance, with a minimum of two people) may have its crew assigned to “truck for the first engine.” That would mean they force entry, open up (ventilate or expose hidden fire) and complete a primary search. To accomplish this assignment, they should bring one 24-inch to 30-inch Halligan tool, one splitting maul, one pickhead axe, one 6-foot pike pole and a lifeline (75-foot to 100-foot rope). Each man should have two wedges. The same 100-foot rule applies to the truckies. REMEMBER that First Rule. The lifeline is used to lead you out of a space the way you came in. But more importantly, those who follow will use that line you laid into a building to find you and get you out if you get into trouble.

When responding to a vehicle accident, entrapment or extrication, those trucks and squads should get off with a Halligan, splitting maul, spring-loaded center punch and whatever normal crash-and-rip hand tools the department provides for these types of incidents. More often than not, these simple tools will force open a vehicle or machinery to allow EMS to get at the patient. Many times firefighters drive a wedge or the end of a Halligan under or into machinery to force an opening just enough to get a pinned person loose or expose the fire. The heavy hydraulic tools can be returned for, or they may be brought initially as well if the incident requires.

The engines still have a responsibility to protect the overall scene: Drop that protective hose line and cover the guys at an extrication (auto) incident. Generally, if the responding companies pay attention to radio traffic, they can get a sense for the tools they will need. But reporting to command with tools in hand will demonstrate the professionalism for which all volunteer, paid-on-call and full-paid firefighters should be striving.

Every chief or incident commander can relate a tale where some company reported for assignment and had to run back to their apparatus to get the tools they needed. Keep in mind this second rule, “Never Report to Work Without Your Tools.” Show those chiefs your professionalism.

If you have any questions I can be reached at redstuff@mc.net.

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