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Roof Operations Bags
Hello All:
I was recently asked if we utilized a "Roof Bag" that we carried to the roof for operations. He explained to me that his department has a bag dedicated for roof work. Items such as a utility knife for slicing membrane roofing, extra blades, small tools for changing the blades, etc… were included in his bag. He was curious as to if other departments used such a thing and what tools they carried inside those bags.
Our roof firefighter carries a roof rope bag, but it is typically just that. 150' of rope used for roof-rope rescues or last second bail-offs if no other way is viable. Some companies put a small bolt-cutter in the rope bag to get through a chain link fence or a chained & padlocked bulkhead door.
My question:
Does anyone have a bag such as the one he discribes? If you do:
What tools to you have in it and why?
What type of bag is it?
Who takes it to the roof?
Has it been useful? (specific instances if you have time)
Thank you in advance for your response. I will him the answers after they are received.
Have a safe and Merry Christmas.
Respectfully,
Nate DeMarse
I was recently asked if we utilized a "Roof Bag" that we carried to the roof for operations. He explained to me that his department has a bag dedicated for roof work. Items such as a utility knife for slicing membrane roofing, extra blades, small tools for changing the blades, etc… were included in his bag. He was curious as to if other departments used such a thing and what tools they carried inside those bags.
Our roof firefighter carries a roof rope bag, but it is typically just that. 150' of rope used for roof-rope rescues or last second bail-offs if no other way is viable. Some companies put a small bolt-cutter in the rope bag to get through a chain link fence or a chained & padlocked bulkhead door.
My question:
Does anyone have a bag such as the one he discribes? If you do:
What tools to you have in it and why?
What type of bag is it?
Who takes it to the roof?
Has it been useful? (specific instances if you have time)
Thank you in advance for your response. I will him the answers after they are received.
Have a safe and Merry Christmas.
Respectfully,
Nate DeMarse
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Brent Sanger on -
Nate, at present we do not have anything like this in my department. Hadn't given it much thought as we do little roof operations. However, it seems like a great idea to put in place. Inexpensive to put together, yet invaluable when needed. Great idea.
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Permalink Reply by Curt Isakson on -
In our area, due to staffing restraints, we don't get on roofs on a regular basis(mostly horizontal natural venting). With that being said our roof ops are normally done in a very quick manner with emphasis being on getting the hole cut & getting off the roof as quickly as possible. In our area( northwest FLA) there are mostly single story residence newer construction( 1960's +). A roof bag doesn't seem to fit our process, we have enough junk to hual up a ladder currently anyhow!
Seem like a good idea for Dept.'s that have commited TRUCK Co.'s though-
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Permalink Reply by Tom Hofland on
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Nate,
We do not utilize the roof bag specificaly since all our Truck Companies carry a number of chainsaws and this is our primary roof tool. We do however have saw bags set up for forcible entry. A bag with a shoulder sling contains multiple abrasive metal blades, a carbide blade, spark plug and wrench for changing blades on our forcible entry rotary saw. This bag coupled with a small fuel can allows us to operate away from the truck at large commercial jobs where extensive forcible exiting/softening is needed. We have used this a couple of times but it is debatable whether it was necesary. I think the question is exactly how much cutting is one outside team going to do? The best feature of the bag is probably the fact that which ever saw is chosen (force or vent) the alternate blade is on hand.
We also have a saw box on all Ladders which contains everything needed to perform a field strip and maintenance of our saws. We have alot of piers and heavy timber structures which chew up saws in a hury and provide the time for multiple hour operations. In this case saws are cycled through operations and "rehab" to keep the troops cutting smoothly.
Tom
Ladder Company 4
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