• Home
  • About FFTB
    • The Mission
    • Start Here
    • Disclaimer
  • The Team
    • Contributors
    • Photo Contributors
    • Guest Contributors
    • The Original Crew
  • Contact
facebook
twitter
youtube
google_plus
email
  • Start Here
  • PODCAST
    • About The Podcast
    • Podcast Episode Pages
    • Podcast on iTunes
    • Podcast Official Sponsors
    • Podcast Sponsorship
  • 5 Min Clinics
    • 5 Minute Engine Co Clinic
    • 5 Minute Truck Co Clinic
    • 5 Minute Officer Clinic
    • 5 Minute Clinic Series
  • Product Reviews
  • Articles
    • Eng Co
    • Truck Co
    • Co Officer
    • Safety & FF Rescue
    • General
      • Social Media/ Public Relations
      • FF Communications
      • Art & Science of Firefighting
      • Life Skills
      • Hazardous Materials
      • Rescue Operations
      • Special Operations
        • Marine Operations
        • Airport Fire & Rescue Operations
  • Health & Fitness
  • FF Mindset
BREAKING NEWS
3 Rule Outs of the Medical Patient
“TOP 10” Fire Station Functional Fitness Training Equipment – Part 2
“TOP 10” Fire Station Functional Fitness Training Equipment – Part 1
Keys to Conducting Comprehensive Feedback to Firefighters
3 Keys to Truck Check Success
The 3 Best Types of Workouts for Firefighters – Part 3
PWR Training Sandbag – Product Review
The 3 Best Types of Workouts for Firefighters – Part 2
3 Ways Firefighters can Reduce the Chance of a Back Injury
The 3 Best Types of Workouts for Firefighters – Part 1
Practice How You Play
How to Execute the Proper Kettlebell Swing
What Every Firefighter Needs to Know About NFPA 1583
5 Exercises to Improve Grip Strength for Firefighters
6 Ways Firefighters can Use Exercise Progressions and Regressions
3 Workout Tips for the Volunteer Firefighter
074 – Introduction to Firefighter Functional Fitness
Firefighter Functional Fitness – 7 Tips for Planning Weekly Workouts
The 3 Cornerstones of Firefighter Fitness Success
8 Must-Do Exercises for Serious Firefighter Functional Fitness

4 Tools For The Truck Driver At The Scene

Posted On 05 Jun 2014
By : Michael R. Rehfeld
Comment: 0

The truck company driver or chauffeur needs to accomplish, in short order, a number of tasks upon arrival on the scene. Positioning the rig itself is only the first task. Here are 4 tools which will help make a good truck driver into a great truck driver. We’ll spend a little time on each tool and how it relates to the tasks we need to accomplish.

#1 – The Long Pro-Bar or Large Halligan

The Pro-bar or large halligan makes taking the window quick and effective. It also clears the center cross member of the window much easier than using a hook.

Clearing the center cross member is essential. We do not clear them 80% of the time because it takes too long. Sure, the window gets vented when the center cross member is left intact. But, you have not made the window into an emergency egress point until you clear it completely. If a member of your crew gets jacked up and needs to exit that window in a hurry, he cannot get past that center cross member with the bottle.

So clear the window completely; the long pro-bar or large halligan will help.

#2 – The 16-foot straight ladder and the 8-foot hook

The 16-foot straight ladder gives you the reach to most second floors. It is light and easy to throw. Attaching the 8-foot hook to the ladder gives you the added reach you may need to take a window or clear curtains.

I have also seen some good truck guys marry the hook with the pro-bar. Both are great concepts.

#3 – The 100-foot aerial or bucket

That’s right: the aerial is a tool! It can be used to gain access, rescue, ventilate, and raise or lower equipment.

The key to utilizing the aerial is thinking outside the confines of the ladder. Platforms are a little limited in one respect but are better as operating platforms than the ladder.

One important point about the aerial: you must practice fine movements often. Jerking the aerial around is not only dangerous but also stresses the tool.

#4 – The ladder hook or large carabiner

The ladder hook or large carabiner is critical for the outside vent team. It works in conjunction with the harness each truck mmeber should have.

It allows you to lock in on a ladder or fire escape, tether to the aerial while on a pitched roof, or assist in lowering equipment. The uses of the ladder hook/carabiner are endless and a must of the truck crew.

Be safe, stay low and keep learning!

Photo courtesy of Jason Comer (BCoFD).

About the Author
Michael is a founding Partner of Realistic Training Solutions and current Managing Partner of Intrusion Technologies LLC Florida Corporations. Michael spent 32 years in Emergency Services. During his time in Public Safety Michael functioned as a Law Enforcement Officer, Paramedic, Firefighter, Instructor, K9 Handler and Incident Commander. Michael was instrumental in developing safety programs to save Firefighters in life threatening situation. Michael has published on firefighter safety and survival as well as violent event mitigation. Michael was a co-developer of the patent pending Active Intruder Mitigation System (AIMS™). Michael can be contacted; [email protected]
  • google-share
Previous Story

The Best Ways To Carry The Water Can & Modifying It

Next Story

The Top 5 Truck Tools

Search Site

Archives

DOWNLOAD FREE REPORT

Popular Posts

FirefighterToolbox Podcast

FireFighterToolbox Podcast (Internet Radio Interview Show)

48 Comments

Top 6 Reasons To Use A 2-1/2" Handline

29 Comments

The Role Of The Second Due Engine - Part 2

18 Comments
Copyright 2013-2017 FirefighterToolbox.com All Rights Reserved.