Spanner Wrenches are the tool to use to tighten couplings on hoses (when they leak), loosen couplings when they won’t come undone, and to remove the covers on the truck’s connection ports. Commonly found on the sides and rear of ever firetruck.

The Hydrant Wrench fits the top nut on a hydrant and is used to turn the flow of water on and off. The hydrant wrench also has a hook on the side that can be used like a spanner wrench.

The Halligan Bar is a great multi-tool and a favorite of many firefighters. It is used to pry, puncture, pound, twist, cut open, and remove barriers. This is 1/2 of a “Set of Irons” Do you know what the other 1/2 of a “set of irons” is?

The Pike Pole is used in structure fires most commonly. The one pictured here is the “short” pike pole. It is used to puncture and pull. You can insert this into a drywall ceiling easily, turn it and then pull that drywall ceiling down to find the fire.

A Pickhead Axe is a great tool for cutting and puncturing many surfaces. A great tool to use but don’t get it confused with its brother. That pick is a tool and a limitation at the same time.

A “Set of Irons” consists of a Flat Head Axe and a Halligan Bar. These two tools together work really well. You can cut, pound, pry, drive, wedge, puncture, and twist with these tools. The advantage here is that the back of the flathead axe can be used to drive the halligan bar.

It’s a sledgehammer just like you would find at home. It’s used to pound objects and can be used to break through brick and cinderblock walls. It’s great for breaking things!

This saw is primarily used to cut holes in shingled roofs. Always start your saw on the ground to ensure it is primed and ready, then turn it off while you access the roof, and then start it again when you are ready to use it.

This is your normal gas-powered leaf blower but we use it as a tool to fight wild fires. It’s a great tool to cut a fire line which is when we remove the fuel (leaves, limbs, debris) from the path of a fire. This cuts the fire off and keeps it from spreading. The blower is often used first with a rake following behind to clear bigger limbs and objects.

The flapper (right hand) is poorly named. The flapper is used for fighting grass fires. You use it by placing it on the fire and slowly dragging it to smother the flame. No flapping.

The rake is a hard-metal, large tooth rake with no flex. It is used to cut and pull limbs, roots, and debris as you clear a fire break in a wooded area.

Your portable radio is your line of communication while responding to an emergency and also while operating on an emergency scene.

Dump Tanks are used to hold extra water as water is shuttled to fire scenes. Always set-up the dump tank so that the engine (pumper) can use it while also allowing your tankers to be able to refill the tank quickly and easily.

Water is an essential part of being a successful firefighter and first responder. Staying hydrated on scene will keep a firefighter safe and allow them to perform better. Do your part and drink water!

There are several different types of extinguishers. To use an extinguisher use the acronym PASS.

Pull the Pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep it across the base of the flame.

The gate valve (red piece connecting the hose to the hydrant) is used to control the flow of water. This allows firefighters to turn the water on and off really quickly.

A 6-in-1 screwdriver, wire cutters, carabiner, and two wedges. These tools are must haves for firefighters. Wedges to control doors, carabiner to quickly create a harness, and the others can be very useful as well. Have you used any of these tools?

This is an essential tool on a fire scene. Easily attaches to the front of a firefighter’s coat.