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9 Items Every Volunteer Firefighter Must Carry & Why – Part 2
Posted On 23 Jun 2014
As volunteer firefighters, whether we are responding directly to the scene of a call or switching assignments with each run, we need to have a certain tools with us to be prepared, whatever the type of call. We’ve talked about 5 of these items already. Here are the last 4 items volunteer firefighters should carry so we can be ready for just about anything and why we should carry each. Because we need to maximize the limited space in our gear, not become too bulky, and keep each item easily accessible, I’ll also offer some tips on where and how to stow each item.
#6 – Spare Knife
Most of us carry at least one knife. It is useful for cutting yourself out of an entanglement, cutting sheets to drag out a victim, and cutting seatbelts or seats.
I carry a spare so that if I cannot get to my primary knife or it breaks, I have another at the ready. This is also helpful if your partner doesn’t have a knife but you both need one to do a task.
When it comes to stowing the spare knife the key is to NOT carry your primary knife and your spare knife in the same place or on the same side of your body.
#7 – Cable Cutters
Having a pair of cable cutters on your person rather then relying on the toolbox in the rig ensures that when ordered to cut battery cables you can do it quickly without having to go back to the rig. Cable cutters can also be used to cut chainlink fence and small gauge steel wire that some folks use to secure gates and fences.
#8 – Multi-Purpose Tool (gas shut-off/spanner/O2 wrench)
The multi-purpose tool is a great tool for the firefighter who doesn’t have a regular assignment to carry because it has a truck company tool (gas shut-off), an engine company tool (spanner wrench), and a rescue tool (O2 wrench). Most have a window punch and small prying tool too. Having this one tool ensures you are ready for several key firefighter functions. You don’t have to worry about running back to the rig to get the tool if you are assigned to one of those tasks.
I carry a multi-purpose tool because my assignment one day may be the captain’s seat on the engine company and the next day as the captain in the truck company. This makes sure I have the basics of what I need without having to carry a kit for each possible assignment.
#9 – Small Flashlight
Most of us carry a flashlight on our jacket, on our helmet, or both. However, there are times when neither is the right tool. Having a backup also means if one of those lights fails, you have another light you can use.
I carry a spare light for use particularly at car accidents and rescues. It allows me to direct the light where I need it without having to take the light off my coat or fidget with the one on my helmet. I have found it useful as well on night time medical calls for doing patient assessment and writing on the clip board.
Where To Stow These Items
An easy place to put and get to these tools — spare knife, cable cutters, multi-purpose tool, small flashlight — are in the pockets of your bunker coat. I like to make sure that they are evenly spread between the two pockets. Putting everything in one pocket makes us bulkier than we need to be. These tools are mostly truck company tools, but as volunteers we often perform both jobs. Having all of these items makes sure we are ready for just about everything.
The list of things we could carry is endless and with every passing day more and more stuff gets added. These 9 tools are small, lightweight, and simple to use; most have a variety of uses. This makes them the perfect tools for the volunteer firefighter to carry!
Photos courtesy of Erik Wood.
Check out the complete series here!
Hi Captain Wood,
I would like to suggest another reason to carry a good and sharp locking blade knife. If you’ve ever got called to a recreational vehicle fire and couldn’t find an adjustable wrench to 1″, to remove
the LPG tanks while at least one 2-1/2″ line with fog on the tanks, the neoprene gas lines cut quite easily after you turn off the tank valves to remove them from the RV. I was told by a propane dealer
a seven Gallon tank explosion can level a 2 mile radius !
I’d add a good pair of wool socks to that list. They make your boots way more comfortable to wear, especially on those nights when it’s -30°.
Thank you for this article. I do not have a huge budget to work with for my volunteer department but when possible, I try to purchase things that will make the job more safe.
Thank you for all of the great comments! Chief Wyatt, there are several grants available thru U.S Forestry and FEMA to help outfit firefighters, especially for volunteer departments on low budgets. I can help point you in the right direction if you would like.
As a captain in a small combination department, I am resonsible for some of the training. This is a great article and it will be the topic on one of our next trainings. We are woefully short on woodland fire PPE. Any suggestions you may have on grants for this type of purchase would be greatly appreciated.
Shaun,
FEMA and the U.S. Forrestry service offer grants for wildland gear, my department just got awarded a grant for 15 sets. This sounds like a great topic for an article….! Grant writing for the small departments. I will work on something for the near future.
In the meantime feel free to contact me and I will gladly give you some assistance.
I carry a utility knife in my pocket instead of a regular folder. It is much easier to use wearing gloved hands. Also with the supply of spare blades in the handle it is always sharp. I also carry a 6 in one screw driver. This gives me access to the most common screw drivers usually needed. I put all my tools in an electricians pouch from a tool belt. The electricians pouch has one large main compartment. It fits perfectly in my pants pocket and it protects my pants from being torn by my tools.