Tools

[soon2bfdny]

what is your tool of choice when making a primary search?

[thelurker]

4" Z hook, and my body

[Reverend]

HALLIGAN (30'' probar)

[soon2bfdny]

i have no idea what a 4 inch Z hook is. could you elaborate

[voyager9]

Pretty sure he meant 4' (Foot) Z-hook.

[soon2bfdny]

is a Z hook the same as a sheetrock hook

[Reverend]

Its a Firehooks Inc. Multihook

[soon2bfdny]

im guessing its the hook that you can change the heads to. it sounds like a good overhauling tool but it would be a little cumbersome to do a search with. i would pick some sort of forcible entry tool

[voyager9]

Feb 11, 2009 16:18:06 GMT -5 soon2bfdny said:

im guessing its the hook that you can change the heads to. it sounds like a good overhauling tool but it would be a little cumbersome to do a search with. i would pick some sort of forcible entry tool

Try this:

[cmcollier]

Halligan and a 6' metal halligan hook (or Z hook as you guys have refereed to it as)

[vent1]

By far the Halligan. Very versatile because if something happened and you had to force a door or breach a wall its much easier to do it with a PROBAR (Halligan) then a 4' Z hook

[soon2bfdny]

Feb 11, 2009 19:19:43 GMT -5 cmcollier said:

Halligan and a 6' metal halligan hook (or Z hook as you guys have refereed to it as)

how do you feel for doors and windows if both your hands have a tool in them? i think you would be able to do a faster search if you lose the hook. is a halligan hook just a halligan that has been stretched out?

[Reverend]

Feb 11, 2009 23:22:47 GMT -5 soon2bfdny said:

Feb 11, 2009 19:19:43 GMT -5 cmcollier said:

Halligan and a 6' metal halligan hook (or Z hook as you guys have refereed to it as)

how do you feel for doors and windows if both your hands have a tool in them? i think you would be able to do a faster search if you lose the hook. is a halligan hook just a halligan that has been stretched out?

No offense SOON2BFDNY, but the tool questions and assumptions your making should be common knowledge to any self respecting soon2bfdny recruit. CMCOLLIER help this guy out, or dose he need to go up to see Crossbronx

[breakingsomemirror]

I have to agree with the esteemed Rev and other posters. The 30" halligan bar is the way to go. You can search, vent, force entry, pry, etc.. It's not too heavy but not to lite to do the job.

For the record, I can't stand the "monster" halligans that some companies are selling. You know, the 12 pound monsters with the pinned ends. No thanks! Great boat anchors, not good for much else. Give me a 9 pound, one piece halligan bar any day! ;D

If anybody is interested, there's a nice little article in the January 2009 issue of Fire Rescue magazine about halligans. Take a look, it's a good read.

Stay safe.

[cmcollier]

Reverend and breakingsomemirror are both very correct in their posts. A halligan is the best and most versatile tool on the fireground other than a well trained firefighter. As breaking said the one piece pro bars are by far the best and the pinned over sized halligans are junk.

As far as using the 6' halligan hook and a halligan goes I am surprised, as Reverend said, that an FDNY wana be doesn't know that is the normal tool assignment for the OVM. Once you break the window and remove the cross pieces of both sashes (turning the window into a door) you can probe for a floor and victim with the hook. You can then hook the hook onto the window sill with the other end extending into the room. You can use the hook as a 6' extension of your body. You can keep the end of the hook on the window sill, the hook (6') plus your arm span (approx 6') plus the 30" of the halligan equals an almost 15' radius you can search while still in contact with your egress.

Another thing you can do is find a place to stash the hook while you do your primary. Search with just the halligan. Once the engine gets in and starts putting water on the fire you will probably be finishing your search and you can grab the hook and go to work opening up the ceilings and walls. Better to have it than to have to run to the rig for it.

This has nothing to do with searching but I like the 6' metal halligan hook as the roof man on the floor above in a fire proof type building. If I need a substantial object to tie off to for a rope rescue you can put the hook across a doorway and tie off to it. I'd rather have two of them from the first and second due roof men but I'd be confidant enough to go out the window with one.

Soon2BFDNY you do know proby school is shut down for at least the next 2 years right?

Read up on this stuff:
sageauthoring.com/fdny/fdny1.htm
www.vententersearch.com/supplemental/fdny_fe.pdf

The second link is one of the best things I have ever read.

Rev - I think CBX has a couple of sayings that could apply here!

[ENG27SQ]

Feb 11, 2009 23:46:38 GMT -5 Reverend said:

Feb 11, 2009 23:22:47 GMT -5 soon2bfdny said:

how do you feel for doors and windows if both your hands have a tool in them? i think you would be able to do a faster search if you lose the hook. is a halligan hook just a halligan that has been stretched out?

No offense SOON2BFDNY, but the tool questions and assumptions your making should be common knowledge to any self respecting soon2bfdny recruit. CMCOLLIER help this guy out, or dose he need to go up to see Crossbronx

Send him to Marc anyway Rev, he'll put him in place!

[rp42]

Since we are talking about tools. does any one use the sledge and haligan combo as the irons? I read a lot about it, and can see the advantages of the sledge.

[Reverend]

yes, 8lb maul with a 30'' probar on Truck 24 for commercial buildings

[soon2bfdny]

well guys i didnt know this site was for kissing fdny people's asses. i was simply asking the question. i guess you are only allowed to ask questions to non-fdny members. you guys think whatever fdny does means its the right thing to do. and cmcollier you should be a little better at taking a little criticism. im sure you didnt know everything before you got to new york.

also who is marc anyway and what does CBX have to do with anything

[rp42]

does that work good for you guys Rev? Im tryin to test it out on our frist out truck. do you guys also have that notch welded on top ot marry them? I know philly runs that or the denver tool and the haligan for the force seat dependin on the company.

Soon2beFDNY i think marc is breakingsomemirror but not sure. It was a good question but it seems like everything here gets turned into ball busting and my way is better. but thats just me.