Nozzle team and tools

[TNFF319]

Does your nozzle team carry tools? Your engine is fire attack and told to stretch a line. Does your officer grab a tool? Do the firefighters? Is the hose the only tool for the team?

[Firetacoma1]

Everyone but the knob man takes a tool.

[FWDbuff]

Me personally, whenever assigned the knob, I would always grab a flathead and tuck it into the belt of my SCBA.

Whenever acting as engine company officer I would always grab at least a flathead, and would encourage members of my hose team to do have someything as well.

[mrpita]

Two scenarios:
1.) Arrive on alarm system call, investigation, whatever and find something after arrival:

Usually the backup guy will have a halligan, tip will have a pickhead ax. Officer has at least his flashlight, might grab a tool circumstance dependent (if piece is close enough).

2.) Arrive to find something showing:

Tip guy has hose, backup guy has halligan, officer might grab something IF arriving then calling for a box; if arriving as part of box, officer usually goes in with just a light.

[FireStick]

IMHO, nobody should enter a working fire without a tool, including the pipeman. Anyone, at anytime, has the potential to become trapped in a situation where they have to force their way out of. I carry at least a short Halligan with me, tucked into my SCBA belt. Officer on the line has a short bar, A-tool, axe, etc.

[GTRider245]

If I am on the nozzle, no tool. If I am backup I will at least take a short pike pole or drywall hook to pull ceiling.

[jakesdad]

IMHO, nobody should enter a working fire without a tool, including the pipeman.

Isn't the nozzle and hose considered a tool?

If you have the nozzle (pipeman) shouldn't that be regarded as the most important and valuable tool in the entire operation?

I am a firm believer in guarding THAT tool and that position with your life. Nothing should seperate you from it as not just your life, but the lives of everyone else, can be at stake.

How short is the halligan you are referring to as to have it fit in your waist strap and not interfere with you stretching and operating the handline?

[FireStick]

Isn't the nozzle and hose considered a tool?

If you have the nozzle (pipeman) shouldn't that be regarded as the most important and valuable tool in the entire operation?

I am a firm believer in guarding THAT tool and that position with your life. Nothing should seperate you from it as not just your life, but the lives of everyone else, can be at stake.

How short is the halligan you are referring to as to have it fit in your waist strap and not interfere with you stretching and operating the handline?

No doubt, the nozzle should be protected at all costs. It's entirely possible to get separated from the nozzle due to collapse, fire event, etc. If that happens, I want a tool at my disposal to assist with me getting out. The bar that I carry is probably 16-18", similiar to this.
http://www.columbussupply.com/products/?productid=135

I've never felt like it has interfered with my abilities, but that's me.

[gunnyv]

Does your nozzle team carry tools?

Getting of the truck, yes, axe and halligan to the front door. Once inside my nozzleman and I will have our hands full flowing 160 gpm; the truck inside team will be there with the tools.

[len1582]

Does your nozzle team carry tools? Your engine is fire attack and told to stretch a line. Does your officer grab a tool? Do the firefighters? Is the hose the only tool for the team?

The engine (nozzle team) takes the line only. The officer carries a hand light, portable radio, and TIC. Hand tools are used by the rescue and truck companies. In warehouses or large storage buildings the officers will take a 200ft search rope.

[TNFF319]

The engine (nozzle team) takes the line only. The officer carries a hand light, portable radio, and TIC. Hand tools are used by the rescue and truck companies. In warehouses or large storage buildings the officers will take a 200ft search rope.

Does each man not have a radio?

[GTRider245]

Does each man not have a radio?

I am wondering this as well.

[len1582]

Does each man not have a radio?

Yes..Every person in every company on duty has a radio. Guess I overlooked it in answering.

[JohnVBFD]

Does each man not have a radio?

I prefer to carry a blinged out boombox with the line so I can "drop it like its hot" inside

[nameless]

Everyone but the knob man takes a tool.

this. I'll take a tool to the front door (no one should have to wait to have a door forced), then usually drop it if on the knob.

[GTRider245]

I prefer to carry a blinged out boombox with the line so I can "drop it like its hot" inside

Stupindous idea. I will pass this on at shift change.

[bum291]

this. I'll take a tool to the front door (no one should have to wait to have a door forced), then usually drop it if on the knob.

Usually same here, nozzleman usually has no tool, he is supposed to stay together with his pair who will carry tools. Everyone has a knife and a hook-and-rope/chain, I don't think that counts though.
Having crawled trough a few buildings on the floor wearing SCBA, I have to say that anything except a very small tool makes life harder. But if I am inside a building where it's burning, I will need the tools. Not just for entrapment issues, but also to access the fire. e.g. If the kitchen is on fire, I might want to rip out the cupboards and punch holes in the drywall, with a tool. I have never had to make my way out with a tool yet, nor do I believe that day will come, but as with seatbelt, I just do it to make sure in case the unexpected would happend.

[FyredUp]

Every firefighter, with the exception of the Irons Man, carries a pick head axe stuffed in their gut belt on every fire alarm call or actual fire call.

Other tools, like a hook, would come with the second crew in or the truck.

[hozman43]

The hoseline is the engine company's main tool - it should be advanced quickly and effectively without distractions. Tools to the door that entry is made acceptable - Tool carried on a belt acceptable - Tring to advance a hoseline and carry a tool unacceptable Tool gets set aside and lost or backup firefighter tries to hold the tool and the hose struggling to advance the hoseline which slows down the advancement resulting in ineffective suppression of the fire.

[nameless]

the main reason why the nozzleman shouldn't carry anything except a small tool for self extrication(if they decide to) is that the nozzle is his tool. The nozzle should never be put down, if you need something opened up someone opens the void for you. What happens when you put the tool down, open void and conditions quickly deteriorate. Will you be able to find the hose, it could be covered in debris. It'll be a long wait for the firefighter opening the void when fire blows out at him and you are jumping back for the nozzle.