Forcible Entry/ Forcible Exit!

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All things under the heading Forcible entry/ exit. Tools, methods (which are most effective in your area?) , locks, bars, gates, enclosures (What's new on the buildings?), Bolt patterns on commercial occupancy rear doors, Tips and tricks!
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Does Your FD Carry the Irons As a Set?

by Matt McDowell

Oct 6, 2010

I was always taught that the irons (aka married set) were supposed to be carried by one person and that everyone else still needed to carry their own tool.

This is also my belief, and common practice. However, I see (a lot of) people splitting up the set, carrying the set between two people OR only carrying one or the other. My questions are these:

1) Does your FD have a standard for carrying the irons?
2) If carried together, what are the PROS and CONS?
3) If carried apart, what are the PROS and CONS?
4) Does your FD have a different "standard" forcible entry tool setup instead of the irons?

Reply to this post either here or at www.safefirefighter.com
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  • up

    Matt McDowell

    Thanks for the reply.  I also recently read an article on www.urbanfirefighter.com about Squad Co. in FDNY.  It talked about certain members carry "extra" tools for other members when they finish their primary task or additional tools for different features of the buildings.  Check it out.

    Shareef Abdu Nur said:
    Yes, we carry the irons together and use them together as well.  From a Truck Co point of view, we believe that one tool is good but two tools are better and we always carry two tools.  the irons completely accomplish this mission and a good irons FF can even use them by him/herself.  We also carry the irons with a sledge hammer vs. a flat head axe.  Also we carry a roof hook and a haligan as you guys do.  the key is to learn the tools and their capabilites as well as limitations.

    Jan 15, 2011

  • up

    Wes Hill

    For what it's worth we do not carry the Irons as a set. We only have one ladder company and I divide the tools up to light'n the load. The officer carries the halligan and 6' hook, the "strike-man" carries his choice of striking tool(s) given the building construction, and these two marry up for the irons. My third firefighter is responsible for a 6' hook and pick head axe. Just my two cents for what works well in my response areas.

    Jan 25, 2011

  • up

    Matt McDowell

    Thanks for the reply.  Though you don't carry the irons at a "traditional" set.  They are all there and EVERYONE carries at least one tool (that's the important part).  I commented on a recent article on www.urbanfirefighter.com about how FDNY squads carry tools in a similar manner to how you describe. Thanks and Be SAFE.


    Wes Hill said:

    For what it's worth we do not carry the Irons as a set. We only have one ladder company and I divide the tools up to light'n the load. The officer carries the halligan and 6' hook, the "strike-man" carries his choice of striking tool(s) given the building construction, and these two marry up for the irons. My third firefighter is responsible for a 6' hook and pick head axe. Just my two cents for what works well in my response areas.

    Jan 26, 2011