1. Chapter 9: Fire Fighter Tools and Equipment
Chapter 10: Ropes and Knots
Chapter 12: Forcible Entry
Chapter 19: Salvage and Overhaul 1

2. Fire Fighter II Tools and Equipment Objectives
Describe the tools used in search and rescue operations.
Explain how tools and equipment are staged for rapid access.
Describe how to maintain power equipment and power tools.

3. Fire Fighter II Ropes and Knots Objectives
Describe the hardware components used during a rope rescue.
Describe the characteristics of a carabiner.
Describe the characteristics of a harness.
List the types of incidents that might require a rope rescue. 3

4. Fire Fighter II Forcible Entry Objectives
List the general safety rules to follow when using forcible entry tools.
List the general carrying tips when using forcible entry tools.
List the general maintenance tips when using forcible entry tools.
List the types of tools used in forcible entry.
List the striking tools used in forcible entry. 4

5. Fire Fighter II Forcible Entry Objectives
Describe the tasks that striking tools are used for in forcible entry.
List the prying and spreading hand tools used in forcible entry
Describe the tasks that prying and spreading hand tools are used for in forcible entry.
List the cutting tools used in forcible entry.
Describe the tasks that cutting tools are used for in forcible entry.
Describe the tasks that lock and specialty tools are used for in forcible entry. 5

6. Fire Fighter II Salvage and Overhaul Objectives
Describe the types of generators used to power lighting equipment.
Describe how generators operate.
Describe how to clean and maintain lighting equipment.
Describe how to maintain generators.

7. Search and Rescue Search team carries: Pushing tool (short pike pole)
Prying tool (Halligan tool)
Striking tool (sledgehammer or flat-head axe)
Cutting tool (axe)
Hand light
<insert Firefighter II icon> 7

8. Search and Rescue May also need: Thermal imaging device
Portable lighting
Lifelines
Prying, striking, and cutting tools
SCBA and spare air cylinders
Litter or patient packing device 8

9. Tool Staging Many departments have SOPs for staging tools at scenes.
Salvage covers at designated location for layout of commonly used tools
SOPs specify staged tools and equipment.
Additional personnel may transport tools to and from staging area. 9

10. Cleaning and Inspecting Power Equipment and Tools
Used for lighting, ventilation, salvage, and overhaul
Test frequently.
Fill with proper fuel.
After returning from a fire, clean, inspect, and record maintenance data. 10

11. Steps for Cleaning and Inspecting Power Tools
All tools should be left in “ready state.”
Read and follow manufacturer-provided manuals.
Learn proper procedure for reporting a problem with power tools and taking it out of service. 11

12. Technical Rescue Hardware
Ropes often used to access and extricate individuals
Several hardware components may also be needed.
Carabiner secures and connects lines. 12

13. Harnesses Secures person to a rope or object Ladder belt harness
Seat harness
Chest harness 13

14. Harnesses
Courtesy of Donald M. Colarusso, AllHandsFire.com

15. Rope Rescue
Raising and lowering rescuers to access injured or trapped individuals
Rope rescue courses cover the technical skills needed to raise or lower people. 15

16. Rope Rescue Incidents
Rescuers often have to lower themselves and determine how to get victim to safety.
Extreme cases could involve a helicopter.
The type and number of ropes will depend on the situation. 16

17. Trench Rescues Often are complicated and require a number of skills
Shoring
Air-quality monitoring
Confined space operations
Ropes 17

18. Confined Space Rescue
Often difficult to extricate victim due to poor ventilation and limited entry/exit
Often very complex
Courtesy of Captain David Jackson, Saginaw Township Fire Department 18

19. Water Rescue
The simplest situation may involve throwing a rope to a person in the water.
Complex situations may require ropes stretched across the stream with a tethered boat.
© Mike Meadows/AP Photos 19

20. Forcible Entry Tools Fire fighters must know:
Which tools are available
Uses and limitations of each tool
How to select the right tool
How to operate each tool
How to carry each tool
How to inspect and maintain each tool 20

21. General Tool Safety
Always wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE).
Use the right tool for the job.
Keep tools clean and serviced.
Take broken tools out of service for repair.
Keep tools in proper area or container. 21

22. General Carrying Tips Request assistance with heavy tools.
Use your legs to lift heavy tools. 22

23. General Carrying Tips Keep sharp edges and points away from your body.
Cover them with a gloved hand.
Carry long tools pointing down.
Be aware of overhead wires. 23

24. General Maintenance Tips
All tools should be in a ready state.
Tools must be in working order, in their storage place, and ready for use. 24

25. General Maintenance Tips
Tools require regular maintenance and cleaning to ensure readiness.
Perform required checks conscientiously.
Follow manufacturer’s guidelines.
Keep proper records of maintenance, repairs, and warranty work performed. 25

26. Types of Forcible Entry Tools
Striking tools
Prying/spreading hand tools
Cutting tools
Lock tools 26

27. Striking Tools
Used to generate an impact force directly on an object or another tool
Head usually made of hardened steel 27

28. Flat-Head Axe One side is a cutting blade.
Other side is a flat striking surface.
Fire fighters often use flat side to strike a Halligan tool and drive a wedge into an opening. 28

29. Battering Ram Used to forced doors and breach walls
Usually made of hardened steel and has handles
Two to four people needed to use 29

30. Sledgehammer Come in various weights and sizes
Head can weigh from 2 to 20 lbs.
Handle may be short or long.
Can be used alone or with other striking tools 30

31. Halligan Tool Widely used Commonly used to perform forcible entry
Incorporates three tools: the adz, pick, and claw 31

32. Pry Bar Made from hardened steel
Commonly used to force doors and windows, remove nails, or separate building materials
Various shapes allow fire fighters to exert different amounts of leverage. 32

33. Pry Axe A multipurpose tool
Used to cut and force open doors and windows
Includes adz, pick, and claw
Consists of body and handle
Courtesy of Paratech Inc. 33

34. Hydraulic Tools Includes: Require hydraulic pressure Spreaders Cutters
Rams
Require hydraulic pressure 34

35. Rabbet Tool Small hydraulic spreader operated by a hand- powered pump
As spreader opens, it applies a powerful force that opens doors. 35

36. Cutting Tools
Primarily used for cutting doors, roofs, walls, and floors
Hand-operated and power cutting tools 36

37. Axe Many different types
Cutting edge used to break into plaster and wood walls, roofs, and doors
Types include flat- head, pick-head, and multipurpose axes 37

38. Bolt Cutters
Used to cut components, such as bolts, padlocks, chains, and chain-link fences
Available in several different sizes
The longer the handle, the greater the cutting force. 38

39. Circular Saw Gasoline powered Light, powerful, and easy to use
Blades can be changed quickly.
Carbide-tipped blades
Metal-cutting blades
Masonry-cutting blades 39

40. Lock and Specialty Tools
Used to disassemble the locking mechanism on a door
Cause minimal damage to the door and the door frame
Experienced user can usually gain entry in less than a minute. 40

41. Lock/Specialty Tools K tool A tool J tool Shove knife
Duck-billed lock breakers
Locking pliers and chain
Bam-bam tool 41

42. Electrical Generators
Gas- or diesel-powered generators provide ample power.
Portable
Vehicle-mounted
Building’s power supply is an option. 42

43. Lighting Methods Exterior lighting
Fire fighters can see what they are doing, recognize hazards, and locate victims.
Makes scene visible to drivers
Provides some light inside structure 43

44. Lighting Methods Interior lighting
Set up portable light at entry point to serve as a beacon for disoriented fire fighters.
Illuminate interior areas as needed.
Provide ample illumination to facilitate operations and increase safety.
May be needed during daylight 44

45. Cleaning and Maintenance
Follow manufacturer’s instructions.
Avoid strong solvents.
Test and run generators weekly/monthly.
Inspect and test all power tools and equipment.
Refill generator fuel tanks. 45

46. Summary
Search and rescue teams carry same tools as interior attack team.
Tool staging lays out commonly used tools.
Properly maintain tools and equipment.
Test power tools frequently and service regularly.
Read and follow manufacturer's manuals and instructions for care/inspections. 46

47. Summary Two hardware pieces are used in rescue incidents:
Carabiner
Harness
Rope rescues involve people trapped in inaccessible locations.
Four types of forcible entry tools are used:
Striking tools
Prying or spreading tools
Cutting tools
Lock and specialty tools 47

48. Summary
Electricity for lighting equipment is supplied by a generator, inverter, or a building’s electrical system.
Portable electronic equipment should be cleaned and maintained.
Salvage efforts prevent or limit secondary losses from smoke and water. 48