Clash of cultures in the stations?

[Yaaooo]

Currently I'm finishing my last rotation of my probation...going to the truck. I would like to ask you all what your thoughts are on wearing an axe and scabbard as an engineman. Basically we're a small three station department that borders Los Angeles and a couple of the guys who were hired 4 years before my class started doing this contest between probies where we chop through a railroad tie while in full turnouts and on air. Probably one of the hardest 5 and a half minutes of my life. Sucked through 3500psi in 5 and a half minutes, puked in my mask and in general was just wore out. Anyways we started all wearing out axes anytime we geared up. Some capts. were for this...especially for forcible exit situations where you would have to breach through walls, plus the benefit of having another tool around. But some other capts told me not to wear one because it gets in the way as an engineman, 36in handle. It makes maneuvering a hose a little more difficult and can get in the way when climbing over a balcony. Any thoughts on this?

[CaptainGonzo]

If the Department issues them and requires them to be worn as part of the PPE ensemble, then everyone in the company should be wearing them. You mentioned that "some" of the Captains like them. I agree with those who do not like them

I prefer my personnel to carry their tools. They can put them down and pick them back up if they are in a "tight spot". Wearing them has the potential of getting one into trouble should they encounter a tight spot.

Consider the following situation (and I am using the Massachusetts evac protocol for this)...

You are inside a burning structure on a big line when suddenly the IC notices that the roof is beginning to fall in. He orders the evacuation tones to be broadcast on the fireground frequency and the engineers/drivers on all the rigs to hit the air horns... the signal to get the hell out of Dodge. While making egress towards the exit, the axe gets caught up on something. Visibilty is crap, and while following the line out and removing the axe from the scabbard you lose the line... now what?

[BCLepore]

I work on a major department very near yours in Los Angeles. It’s our firefighter’s culture to wear axe belts. I would encourage you to ASK your new Captain his preference.
Personally, I like seeing my firefighters prepared but it’s not my decision. It’s up to your officer.
Good luck,

Paul Lepore
Battalion Chief
Author of:
Smoke Your Firefighter Interview
The Aspiring Firefighter’s Two- Year Plan
www.aspiringfirefighters.com