Searching with a tool

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Permalink Reply by Michael Bricault (ret) on February 2, 2011 at 12:45pm

-A firefighter without tools is nothing more than a well dressed spectator. Unless the firefighter is operating the nozzle he must have tools with him.
-Traditionally firefighters are taught to search with a tool, using the tool to probe. This is emphatically incorrect and dangerous to a potential victim that will be harmed by a probing tool. Moreover, firefighters will not recognize objects, let alone an unconscious victim, thru the shaft of a steel tool.
-It is much better to use the tool in reverse, to create an anchor point thus extending your reach.
-The tool can be hooked over a window sill, around a door frame or even driven into a wall to create an anchor while the firefighter holds the tool and extends his reach almost three additional feet into the room. Searching with the free hand is safer to the victim, faster for the firefighter and the firefighter is much more likely to identify objects with his gloved hand than thru the shaft of a tool.
-Moving the victim back to safety is easier with an established anchor.

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Permalink Reply by Chad Bowman on February 2, 2011 at 3:11pm

Michael,

Thanks for the input.

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Permalink Reply by Nick Miller on February 18, 2011 at 7:16pm

Amen Brother! No one, absolutely NO ONE steps of the rig (other than the nozzleman) without a tool.

 

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Dan Rice on February 21, 2011 at 10:12am

Other than the man on the nozzle everyone needs to have a tool, searching with the tool can be ineffective but utilizing it as and extending tool so you can still be oriented to a wall while extending your reach towards the innermost areas of the room is acceptable. We utilize a tool during all interior operations, it’s a standard among the fire service from what I’ve been taught. Good subject though

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Permalink Reply by Julia Crystal on February 24, 2011 at 9:17pm

 

 

I'm totally agree with you !

 

 

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Shareef Abdu Nur said:

I agree with Michael Bricault, but there is also nothing wrong with the nozzleman grabbing an axe and sliding it under his/her SCBA strap upon exiting the cab.

 

 

 

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