Tools and Equipment 6

6 Knowledge Objectives (1 of 4) Describe the various types of PPE, their uses, and maintenance. Explain the basic categories of tools. Describe the various types of hand tools and how they operate. Describe the various types of electric– powered tools and how they operate.

6 Knowledge Objectives (2 of 4) Describe the various types of pneumatic tools and how they operate. Describe the various types of fuel–powered tools and how they operate. Describe the various types of hydraulic tools and how they operate. Describe the various types of stabilization tools and how they operate.

6 Knowledge Objectives (3 of 4) Describe how to properly organize equipment on the scene. Describe the classifications of rescue vehicles and their uses. Describe class B foam and its benefits during vehicle extrication.

6 Knowledge Objectives (4 of 4) Describe the various types of signaling devices used during technical rescue incidents. Describe the most common stretchers used by rescue services when removing victims.

6 Introduction A technical rescuer must have extensive knowledge of tools used in the field. Technical rescuers must wear full protective equipment before working with tools. – NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program – NFPA 1951, Standard for Protective Ensembles for Technical Rescue Incidents

6 Personal Protective Equipment (1 of 11) Protective ensemble includes body piece, helmet, eye protection, gloves, footwear, and hearing protection. – Depends on: Hazards at the scene Duration of the incident Availability of equipment Weather

6 Personal Protective Equipment (2 of 11) Head protection – Helmet must have retention strap to hold it in place. – Inspect helmets for signs of damage before use. – Become familiar with any recommendations provided by the manufacturer. Courtesy of Pacific Helmets (NZ) Ltd

6 Personal Protective Equipment (3 of 11) Body protection – Depends on: Hazards present Authority having jurisdiction Level of comfort – Protective coveralls or coats/pants – Extrication jumpsuits

6 Personal Protective Equipment (4 of 11) Eye and face protection – Protects from risks that can: Cause damage to vision Enable entry for blood borne pathogens – Includes: Respirators, face shields, goggles, safety glasses – Inspect for scratches/gouges Courtesy of Captain David Jackson Saginaw Township Fire Department

6 Personal Protective Equipment (5 of 11) Hand protection – Gloves should protect hands and wrists. – Consider wearing latex gloves underneath. – Inspect for damage. – Clean and decontaminate according to manufacturer’s instructions.

6 Personal Protective Equipment (6 of 11) Foot protection – Puncture-resistant materials – Impact- and compression- resistant toecap – Waterproof boots in accordance with manufacturer’s directions.

6 Personal Protective Equipment (7 of 11) Hearing protection – Reduces the decibel (dB) level that enters the ear – Types: Earplugs Earmuffs Noise–reducing or – canceling headphones Smolynyl/Dreamstime.com © niavuli/ShutterStock, Inc. © Draw/ShutterStock, Inc

6 Personal Protective Equipment (8 of 11) Respiratory protection – Respiratory protection program should ensure: Appropriate protection is worn, used, and available. Protection meets NFPA requirements. – Inspection and maintenance should include: Replacement of cylinders Inspection for wear and damage Air leak check Proper sanitation

6 Personal Protective Equipment (9 of 11) Respiratory protection (cont’d) – Air-purifying respirators Filter particles and contaminants out of the air the user is breathing. – Self–contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) Respirator with an independent air supply.

6 Personal Protective Equipment (10 of 11) Respiratory protection (cont’d) – Supplied air respirator/breathing apparatus Air is supplied by an air line from a compressor or air system outside the work area.

6 Personal Protective Equipment (11 of 11) Proper maintenance of PPE: – Always inspect before and after each use. – Follow manufacturer’s instructions. – Document all inspection and maintenance activities. – Consider using an independent company to clean and maintain PPE. – Report problems immediately.

6 Hand Tools (1 of 13) A hand tool operates from human power. – Basis of all working tools – May be more efficient than power tools – Categories: Striking tools Leverage/prying/spreading tools Cutting tools Lifting/pushing/pulling tools

6 Hand Tools (2 of 13) Striking tools – Apply an impact force to an object

6 Hand Tools (3 of 13) Striking tools (cont’d) – Spring–loaded center punch – Stationary punch – Hammer-type punch – Spring-back–type punch Courtesy of Spring Tools

6 Hand Tools (4 of 13) Striking tools (cont’d) – Glass handsaw is a manually operated striking tool for removing glass.

6 Hand Tools (5 of 13) Leverage tools – Rotating Turn objects – Prying and spreading Act as a lever

6 Hand Tools (6 of 13) Cutting tools – Sharp edge for severing an object

6 Hand Tools (7 of 13) Cutting tools (cont’d) – Handsaws Heavy duty hacksaws are the most common type used in extrications.

6 Hand Tools (8 of 13) Cutting tools (cont’d) – Chopping tools Flat-head axe Pick-head axe Courtesy of Eric J. Rickenbach

6 Hand Tools (9 of 13) Cutting tools (cont’d) – Snipping tools Operate on a leverage concept – Knives Should have a retractable or folding blade – Hand-operated chisels

6 Hand Tools (10 of 13) Lifting/pushing/pulling tools – Lifting and pushing tools include: Mechanical jacks and hand-operated hydraulic jacks

6 Hand Tools (11 of 13) Lifting/pushing/pulling tools (cont’d) – Pulling tools extend reach of person Poles and hooks Winches Copyrighted image courtesy of CMC Rescue, Inc.

6 Hand Tools (12 of 13) Lifting/pushing/pulling tools (cont’d) – Come along Comes with chain package Marked with a grade determined by working load limit (WLL)

6 Hand Tools (13 of 13) Lifting/pushing/pulling tools (cont’d) – Come along (cont’d) Chains come with a variety of hooks: slide hook, grab hook, and “O ring” – Chain sling Used for lifting heavy loads Courtesy of Lift-All Company, Inc.

6 Pneumatic Tools (1 of 10) Pneumatic tools use air under pressure to operate – Supplied from air compressors, SCBA cylinders, or vehicle mounted systems Courtesy of BelAire Compressors

6 Pneumatic Tools (2 of 10) Pneumatic cut-off tool – Small carbide disc cuts through metal – Many applications – Economical – Small size

6 Pneumatic Tools (3 of 10) Pneumatic chisel – Cuts sheet metal or hardened steel – Uses an adjustable regulator – Requires extensive training

6 Pneumatic Tools (4 of 10) Pneumatic chisel (cont’d) – Variety available Choose one capable of handling heavy duty work Consider the blade retainer

6 Pneumatic Tools (5 of 10) Pneumatic rotating tool – Air impact wrench Used to remove nuts and bolts of various sizes. Always use the sockets that come with the tool set.

6 Pneumatic Tools (6 of 10) Pneumatic lifting tools – Shoring is used where vertical distances are too great to use cribbing. – Air shoring is a type of strut operation May be extended by use of compressed air Courtesy of Rescue 42, Inc.

6 Pneumatic Tools (7 of 10) Pneumatic lifting tools (cont’d) – Rescue–lift air bags Used to lift an object or to spread two or more objects away apart Can move a tremendous amount of weight Are not used alone

6 Pneumatic Tools (8 of 10) Pneumatic lifting tools (cont’d) – General rules for rescue–lift air bags Never stack more than two bags on top of one another. Always ensure valves and hoses are facing outward. Never place objects on top of or between the bag. Do not use to pull a steering column. Do not use as sole means of stabilizing a vehicle. Stacking bags will not increase the lifting capacity.

6 Pneumatic Tools (9 of 10) Pneumatic lifting tools (cont’d) – Rescue–lift air bag classifications: Low-pressure rescue-lift air bags Medium-pressure rescue lift air bags Courtesy of Savatech Corp.

6 Pneumatic Tools (10 of 10) Pneumatic lifting tools (cont’d) – Rescue–lift air bag classifications (cont’d): High-pressure rescue-lift air bags High-pressure flat form rescue lift air bags New technology high-pressure rescue-lift air bags Courtesy of Savatech Corp.

6 Electric Tools (1 of 10) Electric-powered tools operate on household current or a generator – Electric generators are portable or fixed Used to power scene lighting or run power tools Courtesy of the Berwyn Heights Volunteer Fire Department & Rescue Squad, Berwyn Heights, Maryland Courtesy of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

6 Electric Tools (2 of 10) Junction boxes are used when multiple outlets are required. – Heavy duty – Portable distribution panels are used in long–term incidents. Courtesy of Akron Brass Company

6 Electric Tools (3 of 10) Electric cutting tools – Rebar cutters Cut reinforced bars and any round metal Also known as confined-space cutters – Plasma cutters Inert gas or compressed air is blown at a high speed and is turned to plasma

6 Electric Tools (4 of 10) Electric cutting tools (cont’d) – Electric reciprocating saw Back-and-forth cutting action

6 Electric Tools (5 of 10) Electric cutting tools (cont’d) – Electric reciprocating saw (cont’d) Consider the blade type and thickness Consider the TPI rating Consider the type of metal (ferrous metals or nonferrous metals)

6 Electric Tools (6 of 10) Electric cutting tools (cont’d) – Electric circular saw Moves in circular motion Primarily used for wood Disadvantage: its weight Advantage: minimal sparks and vibrations

6 Electric Tools (7 of 10) Electric lifting/pulling tools – Electric winches

6 Electric Tools (8 of 10) Electric lifting/pulling tools (cont’d) – Electric winches (cont’d) Draws its power from the vehicle’s battery Easy to set up using universal mounting kits Prone to overheating Periodic lubricating and other inspections should be in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations

6 Electric Tools (9 of 10) Electric lighting – Portable lights – Fixed lights Courtesy of Akron Brass Company © Glen E. Ellman

6 Electric Tools (10 of 10) Electric lighting (cont’d) – Make sure the lights do not exceed the rated capacity of the generator. – Never install a bulb with a higher wattage than the lights rating. – Light–emitting diodes (LEDs) are the future of lighting for emergency services.

6 Fuel–Powered Cutting Tools (1 of 4) Capable of generating high power Heavy to carry Some require a mixture of fuel and gas Difficult to start cold

6 Fuel–Powered Cutting Tools (2 of 4) Chainsaws – Capable of cutting wood, concrete, and light– gauge steel Use proper safety procedures when cutting tree branches that might be under tension. Rotary saws – Capable of cutting wood, concrete, or metal – Round metal blade with teeth or an abrasive disc

6 Fuel–Powered Cutting Tools (3 of 4) Cutting torches – Produce extremely high–temperature flame – Used for cutting through heavy steel objects – Operators must be specifically trained before using torches. – Most common type of cutting torch uses oxygen and acetylene to create the flame.

6 Fuel–Powered Cutting Tools (4 of 4) Cutting torches (cont’d) – Petrogen torches produce a cleaner cut. Use much less fuel by weight – Exothermic torches operate by igniting a combustible metal contained within a tube. Can burn through almost anything

6 Hydraulic Tools (1 of 5) Hydraulic tools operate by transferring energy from one area to another using an incompressible fluid. Can operate by electric and/or battery, gasoline, or pneumatic power.

6 Hydraulic Tools (2 of 5) Hydraulic pumps – Power hydraulic tools – Maintenance: Check hydraulic oil Check for leaks Check for damaged functioning parts Check fittings

6 Hydraulic Tools (3 of 5) Advantage: power and speed Disadvantage: heavy and difficult to maneuver Several types of hydraulic fluid

6 Hydraulic Tools (4 of 5) Hydraulic spreader – Moveable arm opens to move/spread apart or crush/lift material Hydraulic cutter – Moveable blade used to cut, shear, or sever material Designed to compress metal

6 Hydraulic Tools (5 of 5) Hydraulic ram – Piston or other extender generates extending forces. Hydraulic combination tool – Capable of spreading and cutting – Advantage of not having to switch tools Courtesy of TNT Rescue Systems, Inc.

6 Stabilization Tools (1 of 5) Main objective is to gain balance by expanding the vehicle’s base and lowering its center of gravity. – Center of gravity–the area or point where the entire weight of the object is concentrated.

6 Stabilization Tools (2 of 5) Cribbing – Short lengths of sturdy timber or composite material Step chocks Wedges Shims

6 Stabilization Tools (3 of 5) Struts–structural supports or shores used as a “buttress” to stabilize and reinforce an object. – Tension buttress stabilization–use of a strap in a ratchet or jacking device to add tension to the object being stabilized.

6 Stabilization Tools (4 of 5) Jacks – Hand-operated jacks – Mechanical jacks Screw-type jacks Ratchet lever jacks Bottle jacks Cam-type jacks – Make sure the jack is on a flat, hard surface. © TerryM/ShutterStock, Inc.

6 Stabilization Tools (5 of 5) Ratchet strap – Uses a manual gear–ratcheting drum to put tension on an object using webbing material – Not designed to lift – Used to marry vehicles together – Several attachment options available

6 Organization of Equipment Includes tool staging at an incident and proper setup and staging of tools on the apparatus – May involve laying a tarp out at the edge of a secure work area and organizing tools on the tarp Should be part of the planning and design of the apparatus

6 Rescue Vehicles (1 of 3) Light rescue vehicles – Equipped for basic tasks – Carry hand tools and basic extrication equipment Medium rescue vehicles −Designed to handle most situations −Carry basic to advanced equipment Courtesy of Robert Rhea © Steve Redick

6 Rescue Vehicles (2 of 3) Heavy rescue vehicles – Most heavily equipped – Can handle almost any rescue incident – Carry specialized rescue tools © Steve Redick

6 Rescue Vehicles (3 of 3) Special-purpose/ multipurpose vehicles – Small, off-road vehicles – Capable of accessing difficult locations – Ability to carry victims and equipment – Basic firefighting capability © Elnur/ShutterStock, Inc. Courtesy of Robert Rhea

6 Special Equipment (1 of 4) Foam – Class B foam is formulated to be effective on different types of fuels. Hydrocarbons Polar solvents – Includes proportioning equipment to mix foam concentrate and water as well as devices to apply the foam

6 Special Equipment (2 of 4) Signaling devices – Visual devices Thermal imaging cameras detect hot spots. Useful on late night calls or where visibility is limited

6 Special Equipment (3 of 4) Signaling devices (cont’d) – Audio devices Microphone attached to a wire Sensitive probes allow victim locations to be triangulated. – Used for confined spaces Courtesy of CON-SPACE Communications

6 Special Equipment (4 of 4) Power detection – AC power locator – If a wire is suspected down and resting on a vehicle, notify the power utility company. Always assume a wire is live until the power company determines otherwise. Courtesy of HotStick USA, Inc.

6 Victim Packaging and Removal Equipment (1 of 2) Avoid causing further injury to the victim. Stretchers and litters – Collapsible and basket stretchers – Scoop stretchers Courtesy of Junkin Safety Courtesy of Ferno Washington, Inc.

6 Victim Packaging and Removal Equipment (2 of 2) Immobilization and combination devices – Often used in conjunction with stretchers – Can be used in conjunction with a harness to lift victim vertically Courtesy of Ferno Washington, Inc.

6 Research Tools Internet is always a good tool to use for searching for information. Greatest research tool a technical rescuer has is his/her mind. – Learn as much as you can about the equipment you use and share your knowledge with others.

6 Summary (1 of 6) Before the technical rescuer can start to work with tools, he or she must wear full PPE. Inspect PPE before and after each use to check for damage. The technical rescuer must have a vast working knowledge of tools used in the field and be proficient in their use.

6 Summary (2 of 6) The primary types of tools used for extrication purposes include hand tools, pneumatic tools, electric or battery–operated tools, fuel– powered tools, and hydraulic tools. Hand tools operate using human power. The WLL of a tool is the maximum force that can be applied to an assembly in straight tension.

6 Summary (3 of 6) Pneumatic tools are tools utilizing air under pressure to operate. Electric-powered tools utilize a standard household current or generator to operate. One of the major advantages of fuel-powered tools is the high power they can generate.

6 Summary (4 of 6) Hydraulic tools operate by transferring energy or force from one area to another by using an incompressible fluid such as high-density oil. The main objective in stabilization is to gain a balanced footprint or base for the vehicle prior to performing any work on the vehicle.

6 Summary (5 of 6) Proper staging of tools helps to complete operational tasks expediently and efficiently. Specialized rescue vehicles are classified into light, medium, heavy, and special purpose/multipurpose. Class B foam is used to fight fires caused by flammable and combustible liquids.

6 Summary (6 of 6) Visual and audio devices are two of the most commonly used signaling devices in technical rescue. It is often impossible to tell visually whether a wire or machinery is energized. Every rescue organization should have an AC power locator. Stretchers and immobilization devices allow for the safe movement of the patient.