Useless Tools

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joseph R Polenzani on October 21, 2008 at 10:36am

I guess it depends on your definition of a closet pike. My volunteer department carried a 4 1/2" foot D-handle hook that got used on almost every fire. It's the ideal size for use in mobile homes or smaller ranch styles. You wouldn't think the extra 18" of a 6' hook would make a big difference, but it tight quarters its very noticeable. Now, these little 3-footers are a different story...

Permalink Reply by Jamie Morelock on October 23, 2008 at 9:24pm

My vote is for the Hux Bar...what was the designer thinking?

We still use pick-heads...a lot. Out of the 26 plus firefighters at a worker, at least half carry one.

Permalink Reply by Chuck Fager on October 23, 2008 at 10:03pm

What about the Stanley Fire Service FUBAR? Seems like the TNT, Kelly tool, and a hydrant wrench all in one. I doubt its usefulness.

Permalink Reply by Andrew Brassard on October 26, 2008 at 12:59pm

I think the top useless fire service tools are as follows:
1) Detroit Door Opener
2) Hux Bar
3) The FUBAR
4) Extendable Pry Axe
5) Closet Hooks
6) TNT
7) Pike Headed Axe

Anytime you hear or see the words "all in one" you pretty much know it is a piece of crap

Permalink Reply by Larry Glover on October 27, 2008 at 8:09pm

Hux Bar & Pry Axe are the two I believe are somewhat useless. Just my opinion though.

Permalink Reply by Kristopher Holien on October 28, 2008 at 8:08pm

The Trumpet Bar. Being that I am on an Engine, there are probably many more tools on a Truck that they don't use, but when I was on the Truck, I could never find a use for the Trumpet bar that the Haligan wasn't 10 times better at. We still use the Pick on a regular basis and I haven't seen the TNT or any of the newer multi purpose tools in action (we typically don't get the new fun stuff).

Permalink Reply by Ray McCormack on October 29, 2008 at 9:40am

The Halligan has never been touted as an all in one tool. It was designed to incorporate several tools that were used for forcible entry. Although additional tasks can be handled by using a halligan, there is a big difference between it and the all in one fixers.

Permalink Reply by Greg Wild on October 29, 2008 at 9:40am

Ok,

Here's my answer--- Although not PC, but probably accurate!

The number 1 useless tool in the Fire Service is.......

The firefighter who stops learning and spends most of the time complaining about things that he (or she) should be fixing.

PTB--FTM

Permalink Reply by Chuck Fager on October 29, 2008 at 10:51am

As I stated the Halligan is a multipurpose tool, not an all in one tool. I personally think, it is one of the most versatile tools in the fire service. Modified to suit individual needs (i.e.- squaring the shoulders of the forks, welding sling rings, notching a door stop depth guage, widening the V of the forks,), it's the tool, If I could have only one that I would take within the confines of any structure. It is, at least in my department on of the tools "every" guy goes to grab. Certainly you see it's pairing with either a hook, a maul, an axe, a TNT, or with the hydra ram, or even alone! Our rigs carry anywhere from 4 to six closet pikes....and noone ever takes them from their brackets unless it is the last tool left (not likely). So why do we have them? The roof guys never take the pick axe. They grab a hook and a saw. What if the saw fails? What if you need a foot hold? It's just not a department practice. It probably should be. As Greg said in a roundabout way, the most important tool is the one on our shoulders. But alas it is the fire service and complaining goes hand in hand. Especially when fire duty is at a low.

Permalink Reply by John A. Van Doren on November 1, 2008 at 4:56am

We use the Hux Bar extensively to hold up automobile hoods during engine compartment fires. The pointy ends of the Hux Bar fit perfectly into the fabrication stamping holes of the hood and the frame of the compartment...AND It frees up at least two firemen who can now watch the action...or look for vin numbers for my report...

Permalink Reply by Ray McCormack on November 1, 2008 at 5:11am

VIN # Try bottom corner driver side front windshield.

Permalink Reply by John A. Van Doren on November 1, 2008 at 7:14am

Thanks for the hot tip Ray! Thats a good one!!

Stay safe Bro,
John

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