WHAT’S IN YOUR POCKETS?
RANDOM THOUGHTS ON
TOM BRENNAN’S
AS A FIELD INSTRUCTOR, I always try to get to the department headquarters early. I like to spend a few minutes looking over the tools and equipment readied for response.
Next—to the turnout coats. Go through a random sampling of what’s stored in the pockets. Usually there is a pathetic collection of useless “stuff”: dead batteries, red-ball gloves, maybe— just maybe—a chock, together with glass fragments and plaster particles from the last few structural fires.
What are some of the valuables that should be stored in those pockets?
Gloves-standard-meeting, cleaned, and pliant. Not the stiff, plaster-coated, “salty,” unusable ones that you always swear you’ll replace next time. They should be readily accessible, on top of the other equipment, or in another location if your fire station brothers are known to “borrow” and are forgetful to return.
A good light-is a must. Even if you always carry a large, sling-equipped floodlight, a good disposable backup will always find its usefulness on the fireground.
A spanner-that also serves as a small prying device. Not just to tighten leaking hose butts for your salvage effort but, more importantly, to disconnect a burst length of hose that usually occurs in the attack line nearer the nozzle.
Chocking devices-of some sort. At least two wooden wedges, one in each pocket. Doors have a way of closing after they’ve been forced or of being closed by others once you’ve entered the fire occupancy. They also serve to shut down sprinkler head flow temporarily. That becomes annoying after the fire has been placed under control or is extinguished—especially in winter.
A small sleeve of 6D common nails can also serve to control doors. Placed between open door edge and jamb, they will hold the door open, yet have no effect should you want to quickly close the door separating you from the extending fire should you be forced into strategic retreat.
Insulated pliers, screwdriver, and cam-shaped key tool (through-the-lock entry) are invaluable for many jobs. Altering the handles of a channel lock pliers will put all those tools into one. Heat, bend, and shape one handle to form a cam tool; cut and shape the other to form a screwdriver. If you do this after you’ve slipped rubber tubing over the handle, you have an effective and adaptable 3-in-1 tool.
A vise grip – with a dog chain attached is a great alternative and serves many, purposes—control of a door being forced, holding padlocks on chain; to be cut, pulling slats from roll-down metal doors, and changing sprinkler heads, just a few of many uses.
A piece of rope – Certainly not last and most certainly not least. A senicu lieutenant, truck wizard, once asked us. “What would you take into a fire build ing if you could only take one thing?” After my wise-guy answer,“A charged 5inch hoseline,” he explained how valuable a 25-foot section of rope would be, to serve as a quick, short guide rope; to control a fire door; to tie up and control smoldering mattresses; and to swing tools from above to effect horizontal ventilation. And these are only a few ol its many uses. Splice or tie eyes in each end and coil it compactly. Whether you use it or not, it’s valuable because it’s there.
I know there are many who would like to argue for a myriad of othe; things— chalk, door markers, whistles to name a few. That’s fine if that’s your policy and the basic and minimum equipment herein listed is in place. Basics, again!
