Chapter 8 Firefighter Tools and Equipment Flashcards
A tool made of hardened steel with handles on the sides used to force doors and breach walls. Larger versions, may be used by as many as four people, smaller version are made for one or two people.
Battering ram.
A cutting tool used to cut through thick metal objects, such as bolts, locks and wire fences.
Bolt cutter
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.
Box-end wrench.
A saw designed for cutting wood.
Carpenter’s handsaw.
A tool with a long wooden or fibreglass 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.
Ceiling hook.
A power saw that uses the rotating movement of a chain equipped with sharpened cutting edges. It is typicall used to cut through wood.
Chainsaw.
A metal tool with one sharpened end that is used to break apart material in conjunction with a hammer, mallet or sledgehammer.
Chisel
A tool with a pointed claw-hook one one end and a forked- or flat-chisel pry on the other end. It is often used for forcible entry.
Claw bar
A multi-purpose tool that can be used for several forcible entry and ventilation applications because of its unique head design.
Clemens hook
A type of pike pole intended for use in tight spaces, commonly 0.6m to 1m (2-4ft) in length
Closet hook
A hand tool with an open-end wrench on one end and a box-end wrench on the other.
Combination Wrench
A hand-operated tool used for dragging or lifting heavy objects that uses pulleys and cables or chains to multiple pulling or lifting force.
Come along
A sign designed to cut curves in wood
Coping Saw
A set or pair of connection devices attached to a fire house that allow the hose to be interconnected to additional length of hose or adapters and other firefighting appliances (NFPA 1963)
Coupling
A straight bar made of steel or iron with a forked chisel on the working end that is suitable for performing forcible entry.
Crowbar
A torch that produces a high-temperature flame capable of heating metal to its melting point, therby cutting through an object. Because of the high temperatures (3149C/5700F) that these torches produce, the operator must be specially trained before using this tool
Cutting torch
A specialized version of a pike pole that can remove drywall more effectively because of its hook design
Drywall hook
A specialized type of prying tool made of flat steel with prying ends suitable for performing forcible entry
Flat bar
A tool that has a head with an axe on one side and a flat head on the opposite side
Flat-head axe
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
Forcible entry
A hand tool with a pincer-like working end that can be used to bend wire or hold smaller objects.
Gripping pliers
A cutting tool designed for use on metal. Different blades can be used for cutting different types of metals.
Hacksaw
A prying tool that incorporates a sharp tapered pick, a blade (either an adze or wedge), and a fork; it is specifically designed for use in the fire service
Halligan tool
A striking tool
Hammer
A small, portable light carried by firefighters to improve visibility at emergency scenes; it is often powered by rechargeable batteries.
Hand light
A manually powered saw designed to cut different types of materials. Examples include hacksaws, carpenters saws, keyhole saws and coping saws
Handsaw
A multipurpose tool that can be used for several forcible entry and ventilation applications because of it’s unique design. It also may be used as a hydrant wrench
Hux Bar
A hand tool that is used to operate the valves on a hydrant; it also may be used as a spanner wrench. Some models are plain wrenches, whereas others have ratchet feature
Hydrant wrench
A lightweight, hand operated tool that can produce up to 4536 Kg(10,000lb) of cutting force
Hydraulic Shears
A lightweight, hand-operated tool that can produce up to 4536kg (10,000lb) of prying and spreading force
Hydraulic Spreader
The assignment of a team of firefighters to enter a structure and attempt fire suppression
Interior attack
A combination of tools, usually consisting of a halligan tool and a flat-axe, that are commonly used for forcible entry
Irons
A tool that is used to remove lock cylinders from structural doors so the locking mechanism can be unlocked
K tool
A steel bar with two main features: a large pick and a large chisel or fork
Kelly tool
A saw designed to cut circles in wood and drywall
Keyhole saw
A short-handled hammer
A mallet
A specialized striking tool, weighing 3kg (6lb) or more, with an axe on one side of the head and a sledgehammer on the other side
Maul
A saw that is usually powered by an electric or gasoline engine. The three primary types are chainsaws, rotary saws and reciprocating saws
Mechanical saw
A long pole with a wooden or fibreglass handle and a metal hook on one end used for pulling
Multipurpose hook
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.
Open-end wrench
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 042)
Overhaul
A tool that has a head with an axe on one side and a pointed end (“pick”) on the opposite side.
Pick-head axe
A pole with a sharp point (“pike”) on one end coupled with a hook. It is used to make openings in ceilings and walls. They are manufactured in different lengths for use in rooms of different heights.
Pike Pole
A wrench having one fixed grip and one movable grip that can be adjusted to fit securely around pipes and other tubular objects
Pipe wrench
A long pole with a pointed head and two retractable cutting blades on the side
Plaster hook
A specialized prying tool made of a hardened steel rod with a tapered end that can be inserted into a small area
Pry bar
A hydraulic spreading tool designed to pry open doors that swing inward
Rabbit tool
A minimum of two fully equipped personnel on site, in a ready state, for immediate rescue of disoriented, injured, lost or trapped rescue personnel (NFPA 1500)
Rapid intervention team (RIT)
A system that allows emergency replenishment of breathing air to the SCBA of disabled or entrapped fire or emergency service personnel. (NFPA 1407)
Rapid intervention crew universal air connection
A saw that is powered by an electric motor or a battery motor and whose blade moves back and forth
Reciprocating saw
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)
Response
A long pole with a solid metal hook used for pulling
Roofman’s hook
A saw that is powered by an electric motor or a gasoline engine that uses a large rotating blade to cut through material. The blades can be changes depending on the material being cut.
Rotary saw
A fire fighting procedure for protecting property from further loss following an aircraft accident or fire. (NFPA 402)
Salvage
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
San Francisco hook
A tool used for turning screws
Screwdriver
The process of searching a building for a victim and extricating the victim from the building.
Search and Rescue
A specialized cutting device that cuts through seat belts
Seat belt cutter
A forcible entry tool used to trip the latch of outward swinging doors
Shove knife
The process of gathering and analyzing information to help fire officers make decisions regarding the deployment of resources and the implementation of tactics (NFPA 1410)
Size up
A hammer than be one of a variety of weights and sizes
Sledgehammer
A wrench that fits over a nut or bolt and uses the ratchet action of an attached hanle to tighten or loosen the nut or bolt.
Socket wrench
A type of tool used to couple or uncouple hose by turning the rocker lugs or pin lugs on the connections
Spanner wrench
A spring-loaded punch used to break automobile glass
Spring loaded centre punch
An electronic device that detects differences in temperature based on infrared energy and then gerneates 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.
Thermal Imaging Device (Thermal Imaging Camera/TIC)
The controlled and coordinated removal of heat and smoke from a structure, replacing the escpaing gases with fresh air. (NFPA 1410).
Ventilation
