The irons usually consist of an eight-pound flat-headed axe (also known as a forcible entry axe) and a 30-inch halligan bar
Halligan bar
A Halligan bar is a forcible entry tool used by firefighters and law enforcement.
What is an Irons firefighter responsible for?
He is responsible for forcible entry, typically carrying the irons (flathead axe and halligan) and a six-foot NY hook. On the truck’s approach, depending on which side the fire is on, the irons firefighter is doing his own size-up of the fire building.
What are the parts of a set of irons?
A set of irons consists of a striking tool and a prying tool, married and carried together. The most common set of irons is an eight-pound flathead ax with a 30-inch halligan-type bar.
What kind of tools do firefighters use?
The two most common striking tools in the fire service are the sledgehammer and the flat-headed axe. When selecting a flat-headed axe, ensure that the axe is heavy enough for the job at hand but not so overly heavy that it causes early fatigue in the firefighter swinging the tool.
What kind of Knots do firefighters use?
Finally, I want to talk about the water knot. This is the last one that you will need to demonstrate for your firefighter 1 and 2 certification. This is also another knot that you can use to tie two ropes together. This time, this knot is recommended if you are using two pieces of tougher webbing or nylon and need a secure fastening.
How do firefighters carry irons?
9:3113:32Dressing The Irons - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipKeep taking your forks or your Halligan. And placing them on there and seeing. If what you need toMoreKeep taking your forks or your Halligan. And placing them on there and seeing. If what you need to get done to make them fit tight.
How much does a set of firefighter irons weigh?
NFPA requires all sets of turnout gear to be retired at or before 10 years of service. The average set of turnout gear weighs as much as 45 pounds. This includes; helmets, gloves, hoods, boots, coats, and pants. Tack on other equipment like radios, lights, irons, and that weight can easily be doubled.
What is the fireman's tool called?
The Halligan toolThe Halligan tool, sometimes called a Halligan bar, was invented in the late 1940s by FDNY Fire Chief Hugh Halligan. The Halligan tool is considered one of the most effective forcible entry tools firefighters can have at their disposal.
What are the three parts of a halligan?
As mentioned earlier, there are three components of the Halligan Tool: adz, pick and fork. All parts of the tool can be used in various types of forcible entry. The tool can be used for breaching walls, forcing doors, ventilation, and search and rescue.
Do firefighters get to keep their helmets?
Firefighters on the force more than 20 years have to pay only $50, and 30-year veterans can keep their helmets free of charge.
What firefighting tools get married?
A Halligan bar and a flathead axe can be joined together (and partially interlocked, head-to-toe) to form what is known as a married set, set of irons or simply the irons. This combination of tools is most common within the fire service.
What is a fireman's axe called?
The Pulaski is a special hand tool used in fighting fires, particularly wildfires, which combines an axe and an adze in one head. Similar to a cutter mattock, it has a rigid handle of wood, plastic, or fiberglass. The Pulaski is used for constructing firebreaks, able to both dig soil and chop wood.
What is Fireman halligan?
A Halligan bar (also known as a Halligan tool), is a forced entry device used by firefighters (as well as law enforcement). If you like to hit stuff and bend things to your will, this multipurpose tool is for you.
What is a rabbit tool?
The Rabbit Tool is a handheld, manually operated hydraulic tool that exerts a tremendous amount of outward pressure that forces inward swinging doors. The tool consists of a set of jaws with opposing tips that are beveled for ease in placing them between the door and frame.
What is a Hux bar?
Hux bar -- A multipurpose tool that can be used for several forcible entry and ventilation applications because of its unique design. It may also be used as a hydrant wrench.
Is the Slamigan a real thing?
Yes it is!" Fire I wonder where your writers get these crazy ideas?! Before the "Slamigan" came a real tool, engineered by one of Chicago's own. The Fire Maul, on the streets doing real work!
What's the difference between a halligan and a hooligan?
Hooligan (halligan type) tools are traditionally used in forcible entry situations. These heavy-duty tools were designed to pound, puncture, pry, twist, and cut all types of barriers encountered by emergency service personnel.
What is an iron fire axe?
The irons usually consist of an eight-pound flat-headed axe (also known as a forcible entry axe) and a 30-inch halligan bar. These two tools can marry together (see photo 1) to be easily carried in one arm. When these two tools are carried together it gives the user the options of prying, cutting and striking.
What are the most common striking tools in the fire service?
Striking tools. The two most common striking tools in the fire service are the sledgehammer and the flat-headed axe.
How to get a firefighter's tools apart?
To get the tools apart, simply hit the butt end of the axe shaft into the floor. The sledgehammer is another favourite striking tool of firefighters. The sledgehammer should be at least eight pounds for effective striking. The biggest problem with the sledgehammer is that it does not marry well with the halligan.
What is a halligan made of?
The halligan should be made from one solid piece of drop forged steel (see photo 2, bottom). Some halligans on the market are made from three separate pieces of steel that are attached by a set screw or tack weld and are susceptible to failure when being hit with the striking tool (photo 2, top).
Competence creates safety
Often, we hear about the first-due engine company getting hoselines in operation, getting water on the fire, or establishing a water supply. Other times we hear about forcible entry, search, ladders, and ventilation. But how do all of these come together for the first-arriving truck company?
The A Seat, the Truck Captain
He is responsible for a size-up on arrival. This size-up sets the stage for the scene and all incoming crews. He speaks clearly and calmly over the radio to give the scene size-up (i.e., Two-story wood-frame, smoke showing from the B/C corner”). This is a very simple picture of the scene given over the radio.
The B Seat, the Irons Firefighter
He is responsible for forcible entry, typically carrying the irons (flathead axe and halligan) and a six-foot NY hook. On the truck’s approach, depending on which side the fire is on, the irons firefighter is doing his own size-up of the fire building.
The C Seat, the Hook and Can Firefighter
He is responsible for assisting the irons firefighter with forcible entry and, once entry is made, the primary search. The hook and can firefighter carries a six-foot NY hook married with a halligan and the 2½-gallon pressurized water (PW) can.
The D Seat, the Driver
He is responsible for all things outside the fire building. The driver will begin a size-up at the time of dispatch. If it is a known area or building in your district, begin to think about where you are going to spot the truck. On arrival, many times the truck will take the front.
Wayne P. Isken on March 10 2016 at 09:09AM
I retired from the Detroit Fire Department after 36 years. I send email stories, history, memory’s and comments to many of our retirees I am asking permission to copy and paste your rules so I can email to our retirees I will give credit to your site Wayne P. Isken Retired Detroit Fire Department Served 1962 to 1998
Devanshu Jani on June 05 2015 at 01:28AM
Be humble to all but do not give the permission to any for being a dictator over yourself:-))
Dave Emswiler on May 03 2015 at 02:15PM
Amazing how many words of wisdom are being passed along, and how few are repeated. 20 years on the job and I learned a few things reading these. Great information for everyone.
Dave Emswiler on May 03 2015 at 01:00PM
Never call a patient “hon” “dear” “sweety” or anything of the sort. If not by name it should be “Sir” or “Ma’am”.
Joshua Stewart on March 30 2015 at 10:46PM
If everything is caught up at the station, study, study, study. The fire world is constantly changing. Change with it.
Ken Scofield on March 10 2015 at 01:49AM
What you do in the first five minutes will determine what you’ll be doing for the next five hours.
Kent P EFD on February 18 2015 at 11:45AM
Nobody outside your world can ever know this feeling. In any other uniform you get streets named after you. In this one you risk your life to save people until one day you run out of chances and in one final fire you either buy it or you don’t and yet there is no third way you’d ever leave this job, and you’re doubting even God knows why.
How many knots do firefighters need to master?
7 Knots Every Firefighter Must Master. There are 7 knots ever firefighter must master early in their career. If you haven’t yet attended a fire academy, I assure you will be required to learn them. This is one of many skills that new firefighters need to learn in the early days of their training to become qualified.
What is the figure 8 knot?
There are two things that you need to know about the figure 8 knot. The first is how to tie it as a stopper knot. These are knots that can prevent a rope from traveling too far through a pulley system or from unraveling. The former is essential for rope access work where you need to lift items and people on inclines.