Personal Tool Belts

Many rescuers have their own tool belts. What do think is necessary to carry in yours?

All I've ever carried is a nail apron with 8 and 16d nails, pencil, crayon, hammer and tape measure. Some of the other guys carry batman tool belts or USAR fanny packs. Amongst all of us, we always have what we need.

i have worn the "gut belt" for two years with few problems. before that i used the common leather truck belt to carry pass
device and lite. found it to be useless
for life saving rope and was an early user of the gut belt.
recently have seen that galls carries this
item at a much higher price and will prbably see more men wearing now.
the primary advantgage of these belts is
that you can use as an anchor point. last week i used the belt on the tip of an
ladder for lower of a stokes. worked fine.
i have also self repelled using belt in training and found it quite easy.
what i use the belt daily for is carring my light. by hanging the light on a caribiner
it stays hands free and directed in front of me. i don't forget a flashlite this way and
i don't worry about losing it. also, when crawling in good smoke the light beam shines perfectly ahead and the larger lamp size,
the car headlite size, is the only one that has enough power.
the litle stream lite type just don't have the candlepower. i ran electic power to my gear rack so it charges when not in use.
what ever you try the secret is always trying to improve your own skills. i don't believe in carrying extra equipment that wont save your life. but a light, pass device,
rope ( to search with or escape with ) and a
belt strong enough is a life safety item.

I HAVE A CARPENTER TYPE TOOL BELT SET UP FOR EXTRICATION. IT SAVES A LOT OF TIME AN STEPS. I HAVE GLOVES, DUCK TAPE, COMBINATION WRENCHES,SHOP HAMMER,ROPE CARPETKNIFE,SEATBELT CUTTER,WINDOW PUNCH,LARGE SCREWDRIVER SMALL HAND AXE,SAFETY GLASSES, FLASHLIGHT,FENCE PLIERS

I typically carry most of the tools I need in my turnouts. I carry a pair of goggles, heavy cable cutters, screwdrivers, spanner wrench (does so many jobs) 15' of webbing, 60' of search/drop rope (small 5mm stuff), 4 door wedges, and a flashlight. I carry extra stuff in a giles bag that I had made, I can throw it over my shoulder and take it with me if needed. It has a small crowbar, claw hammer, more screwdrivers, large cresent wrench, lineman pliers, arch-joint pliers, nails (assorted), spare light batteries, elect. tape, duct tape, zip-ties, small file, and some other odds and ends. It sounds heavier than it is. I only use this bag about once a tour, but it comes in handy when I do need it.

I have an old leather truckies belt with an axe sheath on it, it is hanging in my closet...haven't used it in awhile, but I am thinking of dusting it off.

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Alan Romania, CEP
romania@uswest.net
IAFF Local 3449

My Opinions do not reflect the opnions of the IAFF or Local 3449.