Using auto tools in the Fire Service

[makgreens]

wondering if any of my fellow brothers have used or seen someone use some type of auto industry tool in the field?

ive been thinking about getting a matco/gearwrench extendable/indexing prybar and using it from forced entry to vehicle extrication...but the weight of those things is been the main reason i havent gotten one

also, has anyone made their own tools? myself and a few of my brothers have been doing a lot of RIT training and making our own escape/drag slings and so on. but ive been thinking of making a tool to suit my needs....ive looked at a few tools already being offered but though they have everything i would need, most have more than i want or ever use

 

[Hoss356]

Automatic center punches work great to turn window into popcorn.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

Nothing can replace Halligan for entry tool.

 

[makgreens]

Nothing can replace Halligan for entry tool.

that is true but im typically a nozzleman or search team leader...perks of being a sr FF in my department i suppose and find that my choice of tools i take in are not your conventional "irons" ....rather i use a small hook if available or an ax

ive been looking into the Firemaxx tool from fire hooks unlimited but im convinced i can make something like it with a bit of work and will suite my needs better..just dont know where to begin haha


btw and off topic...have yall seen the new FIREFOX stuff.....

 

[toolmutt]

We have a Radialock Tool Company brand indexable pry bar on my truck and I have to say that it is a piece of pooh. It is the version that indexes in two places and for that once-in-a-lifetime strange rescue where you have to pry on something around and behind other somethings....maybe. Otherwise, it never leaves the toolboard. Two of the three that I have seen have failed. YMMV.

As to the use of automotive type tools, you probably already know the ones I'll describe. The six-in-one screwdriver in my bunkerpants pocket gets a lot of use, mostly for accessing HVAC units, etc. I have used a Hi-Lift jack on extrications before. The rescue carries an impact wrench for industrial type rescues. On a related note, we carry a couple of hardware type items for forcible entry that I probably shouldn't describe on a public forum.

There are two guys I work with, one with a brother and one with a friend on other departments who have designed, produced and marketed their own hooks. However, for interior work I carry a 30" Probar and a 5' NY Roof Hook from Fire Hooks Unlimited (pictured). Great, versatile hook! Roof ops is a different set.

 

[toolmutt]

Better pic.

 

[Ingram306]

We took a few small moulding pry bars and put small notches in them to make sort of a sharp hook on one side.. Ill get pics up when i get back to the firehouse, these work great for removing the post moulding during and extrication to expose air bag inflators... a lot easier than trying to pry it off with a halligan. and a lot less likely to hit someone else in the head

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...y=129&sqi=2&page=1&ndsp=30&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0

 

[jtfc]

I carry some of the channellock thick cable cutters for cutting battery cables and a small snap on pry bar to pry around for air bags I use to carry a 6 in 1 screwdriver but they tend to walk away I also used to carry A bunch of door wedges on my helmet but they kept catching on stuff and falling off. its very easy to overload your pockets to the point of it becomes counter productive to have all the tools. 99% of the time the rescue carries all the tools we need we just have to remember to grab it on the way in

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

pry around for airbags ? what does that mean ?

 

[jtfc]

When doing auto extrication you remove the trim on the interior of the vehicle to expose the airbags so you know the exact location if you cut through one of the airbags or the explosive charges that set it off things can take a drastic turn downhill very quickly so you just pry all the trim and plastic to be safe

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

oh , undeployed air bags ......they are well hidden

I try , they don't blow up unless they are told to

 

[ekuhn]

Make the Z king tool for getting in commercial doors from car antennas. Also have an angled piece (similar to an allen key) of windshield wiper arm shaved down to a point on the ends for going through commercial locks when removed with a K tool. It also works well for bilco hatches with no handles.

I carry a pair of 8" linesmans pliers to cut my self out of any tangle situation. We have tried all types of cutters in a survival class and they held up the best.

6 in 1 Screwdriver and a small Stanley multi tool for tinkering around. On pike poles we use grip tape and a hose clamp down by the handle to use as a line up point for the head for pulling ceilings.

There is a reason why the halligan and ax is known as as the keys to the city. It'll get you in anywhere.

 

[wafrederick]

I can't stand of the cutting the battery cables.Makes work to reconnect,cable ends up way too short.a sortment of wrenches should be used instead to disconnect the battery.

 

[kartracer55]

When doing auto extrication you remove the trim on the interior of the vehicle to expose the airbags so you know the exact location if you cut through one of the airbags or the explosive charges that set it off things can take a drastic turn downhill very quickly so you just pry all the trim and plastic to be safe

Is it common to see a car that is wrecked so bad you guys need to do an "extraction", as opposed to a good pry at the door, yet the airbags didn't deploy?

 

[jtfc]

Everywhere is different where I am at we have a mix of everything lot of times just pry the door back or open the door (depends if patient is just being helped out or coming out on a backboard )it all just depends on the situation sorry I can't give you a more concrete answer then that but it truly varies alot maybe someone else here has a better answer

 

[usdemt]

I can't stand of the cutting the battery cables.Makes work to reconnect,cable ends up way too short.a sortment of wrenches should be used instead to disconnect the battery.

Sorry but I will still be cutting. Many times we dont have the time to be getting a socket out and I carry a cutter with me. Had a vehicle fire once were I was later getting to the scene and most of it was taken care of. As they were loading it on the rollback it starts to smolder again, then we see liquid coming down the rollback. The engine compartment was toast and wires were crossing. Some one cut the battery cable but only in one spot and it reconnected turning on the fuel pump that had been burned through and wires were arcing on the other side of the compartment. So needless to say I always cut out a chunk. I know its a pain but its a necessary evil.

As far as tools, I love the Channellock rescue tools but grind off the annoying window punch. Its heavy enough to break a window if you need it or just carry something else as its always snagging itself on something.

 

[wafrederick]

My father bought a 1995 Buick Lesabre from an auto salvage auction this way which was nothing but a pita to reconnect one battery cable which was cut.Ended up way too short reconnecting with vice grips and that is not right.Includes junkyards too that want to hear engines run if they are any good before pulling.The sawzall is acually faster than the jaws of life,Century Trading Company did have a test on this taking two wrecked cars using a sawzall on one of them and the jaws of life on the other

 

[Firehawk15]

My father bought a 1995 Buick Lesabre from an auto salvage auction this way which was nothing but a pita to reconnect one battery cable which was cut.Ended up way too short reconnecting with vice grips and that is not right.Includes junkyards too that want to hear engines run if they are any good before pulling.The sawzall is acually faster than the jaws of life,Century Trading Company did have a test on this taking two wrecked cars using a sawzall on one of them and the jaws of life on the other

Jaws of life do not create the heat or sparks that a sawzall would. Might work in some applications, but not one where flammable liquids are present (most car accidents)

We have a mini halligan tool that is about 16 inches that works well for opening hoods (twisting cable) and prying off battery connections.
+1 for the channel lock rescue tool as well.

 

[jtfc]

My father bought a 1995 Buick Lesabre from an auto salvage auction this way which was nothing but a pita to reconnect one battery cable which was cut.Ended up way too short reconnecting with vice grips and that is not right.Includes junkyards too that want to hear engines run if they are any good before pulling.The sawzall is acually faster than the jaws of life,Century Trading Company did have a test on this taking two wrecked cars using a sawzall on one of them and the jaws of life on the other

A sawzall can cut through sheet metal alot faster then a set of jaws but once you start trying to take a roof and run into reinforced A& B posts then hopefully you brought a lot of blades

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

yeah , the rescue tool is a wooden broom handle

 

[mojo3120]

A sawzall can cut through sheet metal alot faster then a set of jaws but once you start trying to take a roof and run into reinforced A& B posts then hopefully you brought a lot of blades

Sawzall's are pulled off the truck on every extrication, although mostly used on windshields. We don't usually cut much sheet metal, just the posts.

 

[jtfc]

Sawzall's are pulled off the truck on every extrication, although mostly used on windshields. We don't usually cut much sheet metal, just the posts.

Like I said everywhere is different I think in 5 years I've used a sawzall once maybe twice million way to achieve the same end result

 

[5lima30]

+1 on a Halligan tool. YMMV.

 

[NJHandyGuy]

I can't stand of the cutting the battery cables.Makes work to reconnect,cable ends up way too short.a sortment of wrenches should be used instead to disconnect the battery.

as a tow truck dirve i couldn't Disagree with that stateemnt more ever have one retouch i don't want an electrical fire behind my head

 

[NJHandyGuy]

dunno if it works as not a fireman but my 56" mayhew has RIPPED open more than a few hoods when that latch cables were toast only on jyunkers i never gave a **** about though

 

[mojo3120]

This is my tool of choice

25,000 lbs spreading / 80,000 lbs. cutting

There are many times when I wish I had it in the garage

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

hurst rescue tool

 

[Sancho]

Are hybrid or electric cars popular where you (OP) work? I know some Nissan Leaf (s? Leaves? whatever...) were sold in TN. Special procedures for those?

Chip

Our rescue tools for hybrids/EV's (in the vehicle development world) are 10ft fiberglass rescue hooks and 1000v cutters. Based on all the safety training I've had to take, I think the hooks are more for retrieving the body than anything else. There's a reason EV's have huge service disconnects at the battery and in the bay. If a boost box decides you are the ideal path, 600+ volts @ a healthy amperage later...

 

[ekuhn]

Interchangeable tips are nice.