Structure fire - high-rise building tools

Outfitting Firefighters

Meet Tom Carroll (left) and Ed Fales. Tom is a lieutenant and Ed is a firefighter and paramedic with Engine Company 1 in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

You will see how Tom and Ed would suit up in response to a fire in a high-rise building and what assorted tools they would carry. By the time they are fully equipped, each of them will be carrying a staggering load of state-of-the-art gear weighing between 80 and 100 pounds and costing almost $4,500 per man.

		Two-way radio Wherever a firefighter is, communication is essential. Firefighters wear two-way radios at all times, which they use to talk to each other and their dispatcher.
		Leather boots and rubber boots Leather boots (worn by Tom) are the traditional footwear of the firefighter. They are significantly lighter than rubber boots and offer more ankle support, reducing leg fatigue, which can be important when climbing stairs in a high-rise fire situation. Rubber boots (worn by Ed) have strong pull loops at the top of the boot, allowing firefighters to quickly pull them on. They have a heavy felt lining for comfort and protection, steel toes, and slip-resistant soles. When firefighters are at their station they keep the shank of their boots inside the cuff of their turnout pants and position them next to the fire trucks so they can don their boots and pants in one swift motion when responding to a call.
		Turnout pants Turnout pants, also called bunker pants, are made of many different layers of fire-resistant synthetic materials, such as Nomex, Dermoflex, neoprene, and Kevlar, which protect firefighters from extreme heat. A firefighter's turnout pants are held up by suspenders, which make them easy to get into and comfortable to wear.
		Hood Similar to a ski mask, the so-called "anti-flash" hood protects the firefighter's neck and head from extreme heat and flames with a single layer of fire-resistant Nomex material. The hood can also be used as a crude air filter in smoky environments.
		Helmet Following tradition, a firefighter's helmet is made out of leather, lined with a hard protective shell. The helmet is stitched to create vertical ribs across its top, which protect the head from blows to the side. A long bill on the back of the helmet keeps water and debris from dropping into the firefighter's coat. Inside the helmet are built-in flaps to protect the ears. Many helmets have flip-up face shields attached to the brim, which provide face and eye protection without inhibiting vision. On the front of a firefighter's helmet a shield denotes the wearer's rank and engine company number.
		Turnout coat Firefighters' heavy turnout coats, which weigh over 20 pounds, are made of a combination of fire-resistant synthetic materials, such as Nomex, Dermoflex, neoprene, and Kevlar. The coats are emblazoned with fluorescent stripes, reflectors, and the firefighter's last name, which make the wearer easy to see and identify. Turnout coats, also called bunker coats, have ample pocket space for storing small tools.
		SCBA tank and SCBA mask The self-contained breathing apparatus, or SCBA, delivers clean, cool air to firefighters in atmospheres of hot, noxious gases and smoke. Weighing more than 30 pounds, the SCBA (seen here in yellow) adds significantly to a firefighter's load. The SCBA is similar to the SCUBA gear used by divers, but instead of delivering air on demand as with underwater breathing devices, the SCBA offers a constantly flowing stream of air (a so-called "open circuit") through the firefighter's face mask so he or she does not have to inhale to initiate airflow. Depending on the nature of the fire, a firefighter will carry a tank that holds between 30 minutes and one hour of air.
		PASS motion alarm All firefighters wear PASS ("Personal Alert Safety System") motion alarms, which are activated automatically when there is airflow from the SCBA. The PASS alarm sounds when its bearer does not move for at least 30 seconds, letting others know he may be unconscious or trapped and signaling his location. The alarm's high-pitched squeal gets increasingly louder until it is manually turned off. Some new model PASS devices also monitor ambient air temperature.
		Flashlight Firefighters carry flashlights or wear them on their helmets. Their flashlights are specially made so that they will not spark and ignite flammable gases.
		Gloves Firefighting gloves are made from pigskin. They are durable and shrink-resistant if they become wet.
		Rabbit tool The Rabbit tool, aka the Hurst hydraulic spreader, enables firefighters to quickly cut through or pull apart twisted wreckage and pry open doors. The Rabbit tool is similar to the Jaws of Life but is significantly lighter and therefore more portable. It also does not require a connection to a fire truck to operate, making it more likely to be used in a high-rise scenario.
		Rake Also known as the pike pole or plaster hook, the rake is a long-handled forcible entry tool useful for reaching up high or to other inaccessible locations in a building.
		Irons Firefighters fit their axe and Halligen tool together when they carry them and call both tools "irons." The axe (seen in red and yellow) is used to break through locked doors and scatter combustible material. The Halligen tool (seen in silver) is useful for prying doors and windows open to gain entrance to or ventilate buildings.
		Fire extinguisher In a high-rise fire, a firefighter would carry a fire extinguisher for putting out relatively small spot fires inside the building.
		Hose Hoses come in a variety of diameters, which are chosen according to the specific size and nature of the fire. In a high-rise situation, firefighters would carry a two-and-a-half-inch hose, like the one Ed is carrying, made of Kevlar with a rubber inner core. Most likely, a high-rise would have water spigots for hook-up at various locations within the building. The standard length of a hose is 50 feet.
		Thermal-imaging camera The most hi-tech tool in a firefighter's toolkit, the handheld thermal-imaging camera (a Bullard model is seen here) allows firefighters to locate a trapped person in a poor-visibility situation or detect a smouldering fire behind a wall. In the latter case, a building may sustain less structural damage, because the camera allows firefighters to pinpoint areas in need of targeted water or wall removal. The camera works by imaging the levels of heat in a room, from very dark (coolest) to very light (hottest). A firefighter searching for a victim in a fire would look for dark areas; when searching for a hot spot behind a wall, he would look for light areas.
		Safety Line Firefighters carry a Kevlar safety line, usually 200 feet in length, for use in finding their way out of a smoke-filled space. The line can be used between two or more firefighters in a building or between a firefighter and a victim.

Two-way radio | Boots | Turnout pants | Anti-flash hood | Helmet | Turnout coat | SCBA | PASS motion alarm | Flashlight | Gloves | Rabbit tool | Rake | Irons | Fire extinguisher | Hose | Thermal imaging camera | Safety line

Firetruck Gear

Equipment on a Firetruck video - A lot of shit on a Firetruck Huh?

Piercing Nozzles - How often do you need them?

AUGUSTUS Fire Tool® introduces its new Series 2000 "Bayonet Style" Piercing Applicators Designed to Safely combat Compartmentalized Fires Using the Indirect Method of Attack. The Series 2000 "Bayonet" Piercing Applicators are designed with a striking plate on their back end allowing them to be driven with a sledgehammer, maul or ax. They also come equipped with a 6.5 ft. 1-1/2" flat hose "WHIP" which has a 1-1/2" NST swivel for connection to a controlling nozzle/bale for ease and flexibility of operation. These high quality tools were designed with the primary objective of SAFETY for FIRE SERVICES PERSONNEL. They are precision machined to .003"from corrosion and rust resistant heavy-duty (Schedule 160) aluminum tubing and 416 stainless steel. The hardened, novel stainless steel piercing tip is easily removed for cleaning, sharpening, or if it ever requires replacement. All AUGUSTUS Fire Tool® products are manufactured in the USA. These tools' novel design will:

PROVIDE Firefighters with a Safe, Quick and Efficient means of knocking down and extinguishing fires in confined and hard to reach spaces such as: Balloon Walls, Storage Facilities, Frame Construction Voids, Attics, Trailer and Mobile Homes, Hay & Cotton Bales, Stacks of: Waste Paper, Cardboard, Wood Chips, & Peat, Crawl Spaces, Basements, etc. PENETRATE exterior surfaces such as: sheet metals, plywood, sheet rock, cinder blocks, etc. ELIMINATE the need to attempt immediate time consuming, sometimes risky, forcible entry operations while fire burns uncontrolled in a compartmentalized area REDUCE Firefighter's direct exposure to flames, smoke, hazards and harmful gases DISCHARGE extinguishing agents directly into enclosed areas within seconds COMPATIBLE with Foam and other Wetting Agent applications CONNECT to Attack Line Shutoffs by use of a 6.5 ft. 1-1/2" flat hose "WHIP" (supplied with each applicator) with a 1-1/2" NST swivel DELIVER between 120 and 150 GPM at realistic and safe PDP's of 125 to 160 PSI in an effective 40-foot diameter umbrella shaped spray/fogging pattern with minimal nozzle reaction using the novel AUGUSTUS Fire Tool® Piercing Tip design MAXIMIZE the effectiveness and MINIMIZE the amount of extinguishing agent required

Stock Code Introductory Retail Prices AGT 2003 Three (3) Foot "Bayonet" Piercing Applicator with 6.5 ft. "WHIP" $565.00

Fire Blanket--Rapid Response EMS PyroBlanket

Now You Can Fight Fire...
With Fabric.
PyroBlanket

Anywhere fire threatens to destroy property, lives, or dreams - PyroBlanket™ has you covered. In the kitchen or in harm's way, the foe that is fire has met its match. Now, at last, a patented high tech fabric that will not burn...that blocks extreme heat and flame...and that provides potential burn victims a new chance for safe rescue or escape.

Next-generation fire blanket keeps body heat in, searing heat out! The Rapid Response fire blanket is designed for professional rescue teams and first responders. Soft and lightweight enough for a baby to sleep under, tough enough to snuff out a flame. Perfect for police cars, ambulances, fire trucks, and life flight helicopters.

$104.99 - 144.99

Editors note: Maybe a little pricey to toss in the truck then again not!
When you need it priceless!

Full Product Info
Features and Specifications:

* The PyroBlanket is essential equipment for crash, extrication, fire and other incidents
* PyroBlankets provide true flame resistance, heat-blocking burn protection and superior tear resistance based on N.F.P.A. test methods used in certifying firemen's turnout gear
* Wrapped around a trapped victim's head and torso, PyroBlankets offer a totally new level of protection against open flame, shattered glass particles, sharp metal edges, and even incidental extrication tool contact
* In a fire emergency, the PyroBlanket provides thermal and shock/trauma protection by keeping victim's body heat in and searing heat out
* Made from a special patented blend of high-performance fibers
* Thoroughly tested to N.F.P.A. standards
* Lab testing and field use have proven that the PyroBlanket can be counted on to protect victims facing open flame or high-heat environments
* Soft and light, yet durable and tear-resistant
* Grommeted for use as a stretcher in emergency situations
* Bloodborne pathogen-resistant
* Machine washable
* Reusable
* Shake off or vaccuum away glass or debris – they won't snag on PyroBlanket's unique surface
* Fabric blend will not emit toxic fumes when exposed to flames
* Extinguishes flames by depriving them of oxygen
* Allows hot vapors to escape through the breathable fabric
* Fire may discolor the fabric, but the PyroBlanket will not burn
* Blanket measures 75"L x 57"W
* Weight: 2 lbs.
* Available with or without storage bag

View the videos that tell its incredible story. It's truly a product whose time has come.

PyroBlanket™-Waubridge Specialty Fabrics product.

Nice Spanner wrench with holder.

Spanner and Wrench Holder

$84.99

Item# K453

Spanner and Wrench Holder, includes (1) Style Hydrant Wrench and (2) Spanner Wrenches with Holder.

Kocheck Spanner and Wrench Holder w/ 1 Style Hydrant Wrench and 2 Spanner Wrenches w/ Holder

Looks to be a very nice set!