Chapter 9: Fire Fighter Tools And Equipment - Key Concepts

Front 1

Tools and equipment are used in __________ _____ fire suppression and rescue operations.

Back 1

almost all

Front 2

Hand tools are used to _______ or _______ the actions of your body and to increase your __________ in performing specific functions.

Back 2

extend / multiply / effectiveness

Front 3

Power tools and equipment use an external source of _______ and are faster and more _________ than hand tools.

Back 3

power / efficient

Front 4

Always wear ______ when using tools or equipment.

Back 4

PPE

Front 5

__________ tools: Apply a rotational force to make something turn and used to assemble and diassemble items. _________ tools include screwdrivers, wrenches, and pliers.

Back 5

Rotating tools

Front 6

__________ or __________ tools: Used to pry and spread. May be as simple as a pry bar or as mechanically complex as a hydraulic spreader. _______ and ___________ tools include claw bar, crowbar, and Halligan tool.

Back 6

Prying or spreading

Front 7

___________ or __________ tools: Extend your reach and increase the power you can exert upon an object. __________ and __________ tools include pike poles, closet hooks, K tools, and ceiling hooks.

Back 7

Pushing / pulling

Front 8

__________ tools: Used to apply an impact force to an object. __________ tools include hammers, mallets, axes, and spring-loaded center punches.

Back 8

Striking

Front 9

________ tools: Tools with sharp edges that sever objects. ________ tools include bolt cutters, chainsaws, cutting torches, and handsaws.

Back 9

Cutting

Front 10

________-_______ tools: Designed to perform multiple functions, thereby reducing the total number of tools needed to achieve a goal. Some combination tools can be used to cut, to pry, to strike, and turn off utilities.

Back 10

Multiple Use

Front 11

Forcible entry tools are used to gain entrance to a locked building:

Back 11

Prying tools, Axes, Sledgehammer, Hammer or mallet, Chisel or punch, K tool, Saw, Bolt Cutter, Battering Ram, Hydraulic Door opener, Hydraulic rescue tool,

Front 12

Interior attack team uses the following tools:

Back 12

• A prying tool, such as a Halligan tool
• A striking tool, such as a flat-head axe or a sledgehammer
• A cutting tool, such as an axe
• A pushing/pulling tool, such as a pike pole
• A strong hand light or portable light

Front 13

A search and rescue team should carry the same basic hand tools as the interior attack team, as well as:

Back 13

A short pike pole, thermal imaging devices, portable lights, and life lines

Front 14

An RIC should carry the following special equipment:

Back 14

• Thermal imaging device
• Additional portable lighting
• Life lines
• Prying tools
• Striking tools
• Cutting tools, including a power saw
• SCBA or spare air cylinders with Rapid Intervention Team universal air connection

Front 15

The objective of ventilation is to provide openings so that fresh air can enter a burning structure and hot gases and products of combustion can escape from the building. The following special equipment is needed for ventilation:

Back 15

• Positive-pressure fans
• Negative-pressure (exhaust) fans
• Pulling and pushing tools (long pike poles)
• Cutting tools (power saws and axes)

Front 16

The purpose of ________ is to examine the fire scene carefully and ensure that all hidden fires are extinguished.

Back 16

overhaul

Front 17

The following tools are used during overhaul operations:

Back 17

• Pushing tools (pike poles of varying lengths)
• Prying tools (Halligan tool)
• Striking tools (sledgehammer, flat-head axe, hammer, mallet)
• Cutting tools (axes, power saws)
• Debris-removal tools (shovels, brooms, rakes, buckets, carryalls)
• Water-removal equipment (water vacuums)
• Ventilation equipment (electric, gas, or water-powered fans)
• Portable lighting
• Sprinkler shut-off tools
• Thermal imaging devices

Front 18

_______ ________ often involves placing a tarp or salvage cover on the ground at a designated location and laying out commonly used tools and equipment so that they can be readily accessed.

Back 18

Tool staging

Front 19

All tools and equipment must be ____________ __________ so that they will be ready for use when they are needed. That means you must keep equipment clean and free from rust, keep cutting blades sharpened, and keep fuel tanks filled.

Back 19

properly maintained

Front 20

Test power equipment and tools _________, and have them serviced _____________.

Back 20

frequently / regularly

Front 21

Read and follow the ________________ ____________, and follow all instructions on the care and inspection of power tools and equipment.

Back 21

manufacturer’s manuals

Front 22

A tool made of hardened steel with handles on the sides used to force doors and to breach walls. Larger versions may be used by as many as four people; smaller versions are made for one or two people.

Back 22

Battering Ram

Front 23

A cutting tool used to cut through thick metal objects such as bolts, locks, and wire fences.

Back 23

Bolt Cutter

Front 24

A hand tool used to tighten or loosen bolts. The end is enclosed, as opposed to an open-end wrench. Each wrench is a specific size, and most have ratchets for easier use.

Back 24

Box-end wrench

Front 25

A saw designed for cutting wood.

Back 25

Carpenter’s handsaw

Front 26

A tool with a long wooden or fiberglass pole that has a metal point with a spur at right angles at one end. It can be used to probe ceilings and pull down plaster lath material.

Back 26

Ceiling hook

Front 27

A power saw that uses the rotating movement of a chain equipped with sharpened cutting edges. It is typically used to cut through wood.

Back 27

Chainsaw

Front 28

A metal tool with one sharpened end that is used to break apart material in conjunction with a hammer, mallet, or sledgehammer.

Back 28

Chisel

Front 29

A tool with a pointed claw-hook on one end and a forked- or flat-chisel pry on the other end. It is often used for forcible entry.

Back 29

Claw bar

Front 30

A multipurpose tool that can be used for several forcible entry and ventilation applications because of its unique head design.

Back 30

Clemens hook

Front 31

A type of pike pole intended for use in tight spaces, commonly 2 to 4 feet in length.

Back 31

Closet hook

Front 32

A hand-operated tool used for dragging or lifting heavy objects that uses pulleys and cables or chains to multiply a pulling or lifting force.

Back 32

Come along

Front 33

A saw designed to cut curves in wood.

Back 33

Coping saw

Front 34

One set or pair of connection devices attached to a fire hose that allow the hose to be interconnected to additional lengths of hose or adapters and other fire-fighting appliances. (NFPA 1963)

Back 34

Coupling

Front 35

A straight bar made of steel or iron with a forkedlike chisel on the working end that is suitable for performing forcible entry.

Back 35

Crowbar

Front 36

_____________ produces a high-temperature flame capable of heating metal to its melting point, thereby cutting through an object. Because of the high temperatures (5700°F) that these torches produce, the operator must be specially trained before using this tool.

Back 36

Cutting torch

Front 37

A specialized version of a pike pole that can remove drywall more effectively because of its hook design.

Back 37

Drywall hook

Front 38

A specialized type of prying tool made of flat steel with prying ends suitable for performing forcible entry.

Back 38

Flat bar

Front 39

A tool that has a head with an axe on one side and a flat head on the opposite side.

Back 39

Flat-head axe

Front 40

Techniques used by fire personnel to gain entry into buildings, vehicles, aircraft, or other areas of confinement when normal means of entry are locked or blocked. (NFPA 402)

Back 40

Forcible entry

Front 41

A hand tool with a pincer-like working end that can be used to bend wire or hold smaller objects.

Back 41

Gripping pliers

Front 42

A cutting tool designed for use on metal. Different blades can be used for cutting different types of metal.

Back 42

Hacksaw

Front 43

A prying tool that incorporates a pick and a fork, specifically designed for use in the fire service.

Back 43

Halligan tool

Front 44

A striking tool.

Back 44

Hammer

Front 45

A small, portable light carried by fire fighters to improve visibility at emergency scenes. It is often powered by rechargeable batteries.

Back 45

Hand light

Front 46

A manually powered saw designed to cut different types of materials. Examples include hacksaws, carpenter’s handsaws, keyhole saws, and coping saws.

Back 46

Handsaw

Front 47

A multipurpose tool that can be used for several forcible entry and ventilation applications because of its unique design. It may also be used as a hydrant wrench.

Back 47

Hux bar

Front 48

A hand tool that is used to operate the valves on a hydrant; it may also be used as a spanner wrench. Some models are plain wrenches, whereas others have a ratchet feature.

Back 48

Hydrant wrench

Front 49

A lightweight, hand-operated tool that can produce up to 10,000 pounds of cutting force.

Back 49

Hydraulic shears

Front 50

A lightweight, hand-operated tool that can produce up to 10,000 pounds of prying and spreading force.

Back 50

Hydraulic spreader

Front 51

The assignment of a team of fire fighters to enter a structure and attempt fire suppression.

Back 51

Interior attack

Front 52

A combination of tools, usually consisting of a Halligan tool and a flat-head axe, that are commonly used for forcible entry.

Back 52

Irons

Front 53

A tool that is used to remove lock cylinders from structural doors so the locking mechanism can be unlocked.

Back 53

K tool

Front 54

A steel bar with two main features: a large pick and a large chisel or fork.

Back 54

Kelly tool

Front 55

A saw designed to cut circles in wood for keyholes.

Back 55

Keyhole saw

Front 56

A rope secured to a fire fighter that enables the fire fighter to retrace his or her steps out of a structure.

Back 56

Life line

Front 57

A short-handled hammer.

Back 57

Mallet

Front 58

A specialized striking tool, weighing 6 pounds or more, with an axe on one end and a sledgehammer on the other end.

Back 58

Maul

Front 59

A saw that is usually powered by an electric motor or a gasoline engine. The three primary types of mechanical saws are chainsaws, rotary saws, and reciprocating saws.

Back 59

Mechanical saw

Front 60

A long pole with a wooden or fiberglass handle and a metal hook on one end used for pulling.

Back 60

Multipurpose hook

Front 61

A hand tool that is used to tighten or loosen bolts. The end is open, as opposed to a box-end wrench. Each wrench is a specific size.

Back 61

Open-end wrench

Front 62

The process of final extinguishment after the main body of a fire has been knocked down. All traces of fire must be extinguished at this time. (NFPA 402, 2002)

Back 62

Overhaul

Front 63

A tool that has a head with an axe on one side and a pointed end (“pick”) on the opposite side.

Back 63

Pick-head axe

Front 64

A pole with a sharp point (“pike”) on one end coupled with a hook. It is used to make openings in ceilings and walls. Pike poles are manufactured in different lengths for use in rooms of different heights.

Back 64

Pike pole

Front 65

A wrench having one fixed grip and one movable grip that can be adjusted to fit securely around pipes and other tubular objects.

Back 65

Pipe wrench

Front 66

The changing of air within a compartment by natural or mechanical means. Ventilation can be achieved by introduction of fresh air to dilute contaminated air or by local exhaust of contaminated air. (NFPA 302, 2004)

Back 66

Ventilation

Front 67

An electronic device that detects differences in temperature based on infrared energy and then generates images based on those data. It is commonly used in smoke-filled environments to locate victims as well as to search for hidden fire during size-up and overhaul.

Back 67

Thermal imaging device

Front 68

A spring-loaded punch used to break automobile glass.

Back 68

Spring-loaded center punch

Front 69

A type of tool used to couple or uncouple hoses by turning the rocker lugs on the connections.

Back 69

Spanner wrench

Front 70

The observation and evaluation of existing factors that are used to develop objectives, strategy, and tactics for fire suppression. (NFPA 1051)

Back 70

Size-up

Front 71

The process of searching a building for a victim and extricating the victim from the building.

Back 71

Search and rescue

Front 72

A multipurpose tool that can be used for several forcible entry and ventilation applications because of its unique design, which includes a built-in gas shut-off and directional slot.

Back 72

San Francisco hook

Front 73

A long pole with a solid metal hook used for pulling.

Back 73

Roofman’s hook

Front 74

Immediate and ongoing activities, tasks, programs, and systems to manage the effects of an incident that threatens life, property, operations, or the environment. (NFPA 1600)

Back 74

Response

Front 75

A minimum of two fully equipped personnel on site, in a ready state, who are assigned to immediate rescue of injured or trapped fire fighters. Also called a rapid intervention team (RIT).

Back 75

Rapid intervention company/crew (RIC)

Front 76

A hydraulic spreading tool designed to pry open doors that swing inward.

Back 76

Rabbet tool

Front 77

A specialized prying tool made of a hardened steel rod with a tapered end that can be inserted into a small area.

Back 77

Pry bar

Front 78

A long pole with a pointed head and two retractable cutting blades on the side.

Back 78

Plaster hook