By Sam Hittle
Generally, single-firefighter forcible entry is conducted with a set of irons or the halligan and hook (outside vent (OV) metals). Some will augment these primary tools with things like wedges. The process employed will vary depending on the door encountered, tool complement, the firefighter’s attributes, and the available space.
Despite all these variables, there are some consistent tenets the firefighter must adhere to for success: tool placement finesse, actions of force, manipulating tool movement with body positioning, and capturing progress. Forcible entry with a lone firefighter will be slower and requires a deliberate and methodical attack. Success is achieved by progressively capturing small amounts of headway. Failure and frustration often arise from being greedy and trying to attain too much too quickly.
This particular technique uses a multipurpose hook, which allows the tool to gap perpendicular to the door rather than parallel. Although there are numerous means to defeat doors with single-person forcible entry, note how the aforementioned tenets are applied in this scenario.
- Finesse is required to get the tools set in less-than-ideal circumstances.
- Force applied varies. Sometimes it is subtle or just enough to obtain a little more space, allowing the tools to be repositioned. Other times, the force is applied more aggressively, like that delivered during two-person techniques.
- When using hooks, the firefighter must understand how to apply an adequate striking force in unconventional ways in conjunction with potential space limitations.
- Notice how the body is used throughout the process. To be successful when conducting single-person operations, the firefighter must use his or her body to apply pressure on the tools to hold them in place, apply directional pressure to capture progress, and walk them in a similar manner to that used in two-person techniques.
- The final tenet should go without saying: the firefighter must capture any progress achieved. Like striking, this requires training and understanding the limitations of whatever hook is selected for the OV position.
Remember, don’t get greedy. Take what the door will give you until the bar can be positioned close enough to the lock to pop the door. If not practiced on real doors, the importance of this concept will be discounted due to the unrealistic flex associated with most door props.
- Training Tip: Forcible Entry in Tight Quarters
- Training Tip: Bar-to-Bar Forcible Entry
- Training Tip: Hinge Reinforcement
SAMUEL HITTLE is a captain with the Wichita (KS) Fire Department. He has an associate degree in fire science. He has been an instructor for FDIC International and Traditions Training. He is a contributing author to Fire Engineering, Urban Firefighter, and FireRescue. He is a Google Hangout panel member, an Interior Attack technical panel member for Underwriters Laboratories, and a member of the FDIC International Educational Advisory Board.
