Back to Basics Part 2: Bring Your Tool!

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Permalink Reply by Michael Bricault (ret) on February 22, 2010 at 2:24pm

-A firefighter without hand tools is nothing more than a well dressed spectator!!!!!!!!

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Schwering on February 22, 2010 at 4:15pm

Brick, you beat me to it! Without a tool, not even well dressed

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Permalink Reply by Ron Becknell on February 22, 2010 at 4:54pm

It amazes me how many times I show up on the 2nd or 3rd in truck or 5-10 minutes after the first units were on scene ( all volunteer fire departments) and I still get to go in and "do something" because I get packed up and grab my tools therefore I normally get to walk to right past crews that have been standing at the door empty handed to go in and finish putting out their fire. Since we stressed this is meetings and trainings most of my department is really good at getting some type of tool to the front door. I sometimes wonder if the lack of tools have helped to lead us to more close calls because FF's do not have the correct equipment ready to complete extinguishment instead they are making a good knock down but are not able to follow up by checking for extension until the attic has flashed over.

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Permalink Reply by Todd "Walt" Walton on February 23, 2010 at 8:00am

When our department initiated the two tag accountability system (10 years back?) we noticed that the only guys using it consistently and correctly were the new members who used it during FF1. As the years passed we had more and more guys using it consistently because A) they have always done it this way and B) the older guys are reminded by the younger guys (words or actions) to do it. We're not perfect but now we use the accountability tags on almost every call.
A couple years back we noticed that our department did not have the habit of grabbing a tool before going in. Some did consistently, some didn't consistently. We looked at our experience with the accountability tags and started with FF1 training. If they got to the door without a tool they were sent back. It started by reviewing if they had everything needed and if they overlooked the tools we brought that up. Along with potential uses and need for assorted tools. As they progressed through training it was a simple "Hey, don't you need a tool?" Now we see the younger guys helping to increase the number of members that take a tool in.
Only other way to make the change is as the officer or senior fire fighter to make a stand at the door, every time, that if you don't have a tool we don't enter until you go and get one. You'll piss guys off but after one or two times of seeing you are serious they'll do it.

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Permalink Reply by Stan Morse on February 24, 2010 at 11:31am

This is especially true for company officers. In these days of understaffing it takes everyone in the company to contribute to a safe and effective operation. I have seen on more than a few occasions an engine officer standing at a locked front door empty handed (or at best a portable radio in one hand and a cheap flashlight in the other) odering his fire fighter, who just stretched a handline to the door by himself, back to the engine to get the irons.

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Permalink Reply by Larry Glover on February 28, 2010 at 4:02pm

I get questioned still as to why I carry two tools and carry a tool at all. The mindset I've run into is the guys want to have their hands "free" to use them, they don't want to have to keep up with a tool. They can do more with their "free hands". Not having your tools is like a shortstop not having his glove or a catcher not wearing his gear and his mitt. Doesn't make much sense does it?? Carry your tools, take pride in your tools, know your job, DO YOUR JOB!! Great topic Brothers!

Larry

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Permalink Reply by Shareef Abdu Nur on March 17, 2010 at 5:22pm

I try to teach the new hires that one tool is nice but two tools are better. I also try to stress to them that our tools are designed for forcible entry and overhaul, but more importantly FORCIBLE EXIT. Our tools are there to get us out of situations that go really bad really fast.
Even when we are assigned to an Engine Co and we pull up to smoke showing, before we grab that nozzle and make an agressive interior attack, we should grab a tool as well and slide it into the waist strap of out SCBA or our tool belt.

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