Category

Pressurized Water Extinguisher a/k/a The PW a/k/a The Water Can     Also known as the can, the 2-1/2 gallon water extinguisher is one of the most useful tools in the fire service.  Regular inspection and maintenance is necessary to keep it that way. Visual inspection to...

    The Pressurized Water Extinguisher  a/k/a The Water Can From confining a fire to extinguishing it, the 2-1/2 gallon water extinguisher (or “the can”) is one of the most useful tools in today’s fire service. Considered a very basic tool by many (and...

Disclaimer There are many tools a firefighter needs on the modern fireground.  In this series, we review the five most important physical tools a truckie needs to do his or her job effectively.  (Click here for Part 1 and here for Part 2.) Truckie Tool #1 – Rescue...

Disclaimer There are many tools a firefighter needs on the modern fire ground.  In this series, we review the five most important physical tools a truckie needs to do his or her job effectively.  (Click here to read Part 1.) Truckie Tool #3 – The Halligan Bar One...

Disclaimer There are many tools that a truckie needs when fighting fires.  Most fundamental, of course, is the human brain, followed closely by the training and experience a firefighter develops from his or her years of service.  Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and...

Why Tape Our Tools? Because when our gloves are soaking wet and we’re using our hook trying to hook a ceiling or wall our hands slide all over the shaft of the hook or other tool.   This is frustrating and inefficient. Here’s how to fix that: Put a grip on your tools...

Before We Respond We have touched on some of the personal tools for the truckie and now I want to focus a little on the tools the truck driver or engineer can use to make life and work a little easier. As the saying goes, these are my tools; there are many like it, but these are...

In part 1 we looked at some of the reasons and decisions you should consider when deciding to promote to the position of engineer/driver/operator. We also began a look into what you will encounter when preparing for the process itself. Today we will continue to look at some...

As the driver/EVD/FADO/engineer (here we will call it a driver/operator for simplicity) of a truck, tower, or quint we are responsible for the safe operation of this multi-ton vehicle to and from, and on the incident scene. Regardless of the make and style of your specific...

We often hear about the use of ladders on the fire ground. With all the truck company is responsible for, with limited personnel, how do we have time to ladder a structure while at the same time carrying out our other really important tasks?  We get proficient at carrying them...