1. Does your department allow you to modify any of your tools?

no policy

2. Do you support or discourage the modification of tools?

Fully support when done by someone capable and when based on common sense and knowledge. Most modifications are made were based on a problem with the original tool design that inhibited some action that the user wished to perform, usually something unique to a particular building feature.

3. Should you be allowed to modify tools?

Yes, but I have an extensive background in welding/machining processes, design and fabrication...and like to tinker with the unbroken wheel.

4. What tool modifications do you feel to be the most worth while?

The ones that work and fit into a fire departments/end-users techinques. Specifically, it can be anything from adding a roof ring, "thinning" forks and squaring off the shoulders of the fork (on a halligan); modifiying bevels and angles of pike pole heads. Many of today's great fire service tools started out as a modification of another tool.

5. Have any tool modifications that you have made ever pay off on the fire ground?

Certainly, simply adjusting the angles of the pike pole head used by my FD makes removing clapboaord siding and the strip sheeting found underneath easier, with the original design it was not easy and sometimes even possible to get the angle needed to use the tool. With the modification it is quick and easy to accomplish this task.

Most of the modifications made on our tools have been to attach a carrying strap like irons etc. I'd be interested in finding out modifications that worked out for other departments. We are starting a R&D committee that will address such issues but currently do not have any specific SOPs on modifications.
Bob

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A couple of questions:
1. Does your department allow you to modify any of your tools?
A. Only if every Captain and there is a Captain on all 3 shifts agree,(in writing)and the requesting member has the blessing of his/her Battalion Chief and the Chief of Operationscan be made to understand, maybe.then.
2. Do you support> or discourage the modification of tools?

3. Should you be allowed to modify tools?
A. Not willy nilly.Yes, If they are beneficial!
4. What tool modifications do you feel to be the most worth while?
A. Thru-the-lock, and marrying tools.
5. Have any tool modifications that you have made ever pay off on the fire ground?
A. WITHHELD