Cheap, case-hardened padlocks are found everywhere today. The most common locations for these locks are on roll-down security gates, scissor gates, chained fences and on slide bolts at the rear of commercial buildings.

These locks have been made to look like the American 700 series locks, high-security locks that are very popular because they look substantial and appear difficult to break open (photo 1). To an unprepared firefighter, these types of locks can hold up quite well to traditional forcible-entry methods. These locks have a hardened shackle that can withstand even the largest pair of bolt cutters. Also, these locks are made with heel and toe construction, so driving the body of the lock off the shackle with the irons can be difficult but entry can usually be forced in a matter of seconds with just a screwdriver. There are four telltale signs that you are dealing with a case-hardened padlock:

• These padlocks have a chrome finish whereas the American 700 series locks have a brushed satin finish;(photo2)

• The word “hardened” will be stamped somewhere on the body of the lock, usually on the back;

• The manufacturer name on the locks is usually Camel, Guard Dawg, Guard, Matrix, Can Pro or Lion;

• The words Made in Taiwan or Made in China are stamped on the lock body or by the key way.

Once you have established that you are dealing with a cheap, case-hardened padlock you will need to get a good-quality slot screwdriver. If you try to use a cheap screwdriver you may break it while attempting to force entry. This can lead to serious injuries so, as always, be sure that you are wearing all appropriate personal protective equipment.

 The thing that makes this type of lock susceptible to a quick forcible entry is the cheap cylinder guard on the bottom of the lock (photo 3). This cylinder guard is easily removable so the lock owner can replace the cylinder in the lock if the key is lost. Firefighters forcing entry are going to manipulate the cylinder guard to gain entry. Simply place the end of the screwdriver under the cylinder guard (photo 4).

Once the screwdriver is in place, pry the guard out of the lock (photo 5).You will be amazed at how easy it is to remove the cylinder guard. After the cylinder guard has been pried, give the lock body a light tap with the screwdriver and the cylinder will fall out (photo 6). Once the cylinder is out you will see the brass, pie-shaped locking mechanism inside the locking body. Use the screwdriver that was used to pry the guard out to turn the locking mechanism 180 degrees, opening the lock. Be aware that this method does not work on all case-hardened padlocks but is an excellent trick to keep in your back pocket and will be a huge time saver when the situation presents itself on the fire ground.

Till Next Time Stay Safe and Stay Low,

Andrew Brassard

Since the existence of the fire service firefighters have been constantly trying to improve themselves and the tools they work with to adapt to the challenges that their communities present. This article is going to cover some of the basic tool modifications that firefighters have been utilizing for years. The majority of these modifications where spawned in smoky hallways and the backsides of taxpayers by members of the FDNY, the author is not taking credit for any of these modifications…… simply passing on the word.

Marrying up your Irons
Many departments use marrying straps to keep the axe and halligan together, some of these straps can be very simple or quite elaborate with built in shoulder straps and other fancy gadgets that all glow in the dark. The problem with these straps is that they usually don’t hold the tools together very well or can be very difficult to undo in zero visibility with your firefighting gloves on. A better solution for marrying these tools together is to use a hand file to notch out a very small path for the halligan forks to go, after the notch is created simply place the halligan forks into the notch and then give it a quick hit into the ground setting the halligan onto the axe.

Note: even though the tools are “locked” together you should
never fully trust that they will always hold together. Always use proper carrying techniques especially while climbing ladders.

One of the most common questions I get about doing this to your tools is “won’t that weaken the integrity of the axe?” The answer is yes it will weaken the integrity of the axe!! But think about it realistically, it would still take thousands and thousands of pounds of force to cause that axe to break and if you pushed the tool to that extreme the handle would break first.

The Sledgehammer Bracket
The sledgehammer is another favorite striking tool of firefighters. The sledgehammer should be at least ten or twelve pounds for effective striking. The biggest problem that the sledgehammer has is that it does not marry very well with the halligan; this is easily corrected by simply welding a bracket onto the top of the sledgehammer for the adz of the halligan to slide through. This will help hold the position of the halligan but will not keep the two from falling apart.

Squared off Shoulder
For any firefighter that has ever forced a door in zero visibility they know that it can be a challenging task, one of the best tool modifications I have ever seen is squaring of the shoulder of the halligan. By squaring off the shoulder of the halligan you create a striking surface to dive the halligan in between the door and the jamb in zero visibility without risking striking your partner with the axe or sledgehammer.

Another excellent place where this modification will pay dividends is in very tight or narrow hallways; depending on the swing of the door you may not have enough room to swing your striking tool effectively. For this method to work well place the fork in between the door and the jamb (after gaping the door) and place both hands at the back of the adz and push the tool into the door, slide the striking tool down the shaft of the halligan striking the squared off shoulder. This method works excellent but the technique must be practiced often and under realistic conditions to be effective and efficient on the fireground.

Chain Link
A simple method for ventilating windows in high rise or multiple dwelling is by ventilating the windows from the roof. By welding a chain link on your halligan close to the fork you now have a place that you can attach a carabineer and piece of rope to. After you have attached the rope simply lower the halligan to the window that needs venting, mark the spot on the rope with your hand and haul the rope and halligan back to the roof. After you get the halligan back into your hands you can throw the halligan off the roof, when the rope goes tight the halligan will swing back in towards the building breaking the glass. This is an extremely effective way to ventilate windows at fires in multiple dwellings.

These are a couple of easy modifications that you can do to your tools that will make them more effective on the fireground.

Until next time stay low and stay safe, 

Andrew Brassard

This past week we taught a basic skills class for the Ankeny, IA Fire Department. Information is as follows:

Title: Ladder Company Operations

Length: 4 hour Weekly Drill (repeated on second day)

Type: Hands-On, Acquired Structure

Topics: 4 Rotations: Vent Enter & Search, Conventional Forcible Entry, Flat Roof Operations, Peaked Roof Operations

Agencies: Ankeny, IA Fire Department

We had a great time and I think everyone learned a lot, including us! Thanks to the Ankeny, IA Fire Department for their attention, their eagerness to learn, their aggressive drilling habits and their hospitality. Truly a class act department.

Nationwide, there seems to be a lot of confusion regarding the use of the trench cut. In this “Trench Cut” series, we will discuss the background of the trench cut and the specific types of structures for which it was designed. As with several concepts in the fire service, the trench cut has been adapted and is now being utilized on other building types. In some cases this adaptation may work. However, we will discuss specific building types where trench cuts may not be the answer to a successful outcome. In some cases, it may even hinder the operation by “distracting” essential resources which may be better utilized by attacking the fire where it is NOW, instead of backing off, writing off an entire portion of the building and stopping it LATER. This is especially true in departments where manpower issues are common or constant.

The trench cut itself is one component of an overall strategy. Simply cutting a trench in a roof will not stop a rapidly extending cockloft fire. Several other things must be coordinated for a successful operation. Other components include: Removing and accounting for members from the area that we are giving up, completely pulling the ceilings directly below the trench and stretching additional lines to key locations above and below the trench. The overall strategy will be briefly touched in this drill. In an upcoming drill, step-by-step considerations for trench cuts will be discussed from a roof firefighters perspective

As stated above, the trench cut is one component in an overall strategy. Trench cuts can be used to cut off a rapidly extending cockloft fire at a pinch point. The pinch point or throat could be defined as an area where a building narrows sufficiently to perform a successful operation before the fire can extend past that point. This designated pinch point must be far enough ahead of the advancing fire to allow the trench to be completed, but not so far away that too much of the building is given up needlessly.

The trench cut is a defensive tactic and should be viewed as cutting a “fire break” in the roof. Although, the opening will allow fire, smoke and gases to vent from the cockloft area, the trench is NOT intended to act as a ventilation opening. A large ventilation opening must be cut over the fire BEFORE starting a trench cut. Failure to provide this large ventilation opening over the fire will ALMOST ALWAYS result in the fire jumping the trench and extending into uninvolved areas. In fact, if a normal vertical ventilation opening is not provided and a trench is cut and pulled remote from the fire area, it will certainly cause the fire to extend towards the trench (a new ventilation opening/path of least resistance) and into the uninvolved area that you are working to save. Additionally, the large vertical ventilation cut will buy extra time that is needed to make your additional cuts for the trench.

The trench cut was designed for buildings that have similar features as the examples below:

The first two photos are two different angles of the same building in the Bronx, NY. The arrows point to the throat where a trench could be cut relatively quickly to isolate the fire from the other wings. You can see how the narrowing of the building in the throat area would allow a trench cut to be placed with minimal effort and maximize the chances of cutting the fire off. The area where the arrows are pointing are 10-15 feet wide at their widest point. Keep these numbers in mind as you read further to other building types.

Here is another example using more recent building construction in a suburban setting:

This example in Westmont, IL has similar features as the building in the Bronx. While not a 6 story non-fireproof building, it does have it’s own version of a pronounced “wing” and a “throat” area.  A properly placed trench could be successful in this building.  This throat or pinch point is approximately 15 feet wide.

The trench cut was not intended to be used in these examples below:

This 1 story Class III strip mall/taxpayer measuring 150×50 is NOT a candidate for a trench cut. The likelihood of a trench cut being successful in this type of building is nearly nil. The features of this type of building do not provide a pinch point or throat area to successfully cut a trench. Lets discuss the tasks that MUST take place in order to cut a PROPER trench cut with a SUCCESSFUL outcome.

An initial ventilation hole measuring approximately 10′x10′ must be cut over the main body of fire. Most likely, with heavy fire conditions in the cockloft this cut should be extended to slow the lateral fire spread in the cockloft. Depending on the problems encountered, cutting and extending this initial ventilation opening could take several members operating two saws, five to fifteen minutes. To perform a trench cut correctly, this initial ventilation cut MUST be completed and therefore cannot be bypassed. At this point, we are approximately 15 - 20 minutes into the operation and we haven’t even started the trench.

To effectively cut a trench in this roof, you will have to cut the ENTIRE DEPTH of this building twice. This will equal 100 feet of linear cutting. Relief cuts every 3-5 feet along the trench will account for another 17 - 30 feet of cutting. Relief cuts are necessary so the roofing material can be pulled from the trench in pieces. To perform a trench cut operation CORRECTLY, the ceiling below must also be pulled so hose lines can be operated into the cockloft. The ceiling must be pulled from the front wall to the rear wall and ideally 2 to 3 bays wide (2 to 3 feet). That is approximately 150 square feet of ceiling that must be pulled. In old commercial buildings such as this, several ceilings including tin ceilings will severely hamper the operation. Manpower will also be needed to stretch and operate hose lines into the cockloft from above after the trench is pulled.

To summarize the numbers:

• Members on the roof will need to do approximately 130 feet of linear cutting (not including multiple inspection holes & the initial large ventilation hole).
• Members below will have to open up approximately 150 square feet of ceiling.
• Members are needed to stretch multiple lines above and below the trench (not including the lines that are needed to attack the main body of fire)

This operation will take far too long to perform and require more manpower than most departments are able to muster. Use your available resources to stretch and advance additional 2 1/2″ lines, pull ceilings and expand the initial ventilation cut to slow/stop the fire travel in the cockloft and extinguish the fire. A rapidly extending cockloft fire would almost certainly overrun any trench operation started on this type of building before it could be completed.

Another Trench Cut No-Go:

Garden apartment or townhouse type complexes such as this one in Westmont, IL are also NOT candidates for a trench operation. Although the middle area of the building is a more narrow than either end, it is still 60 feet deep (30 feet from the soffit to the peak). Once again, there is no “pinch point” or throat to successfully place a trench cut quickly to effectively cut off a rapidly extending fire. The same problems present themselves here as they did above. These problems include over 200 feet of linear cutting, pulling massive amounts of ceiling and the associated manpower issues. However, there are a couple of advantages to this building type. The roof deck will typically be constructed of plywood or OSB and will only have one or two layers of shingles present and the interior ceilings will most likely be constructed of sheetrock. However, these two advantages should NOT lead you to the conclusion that a trench cut operation should be conducted on this type of building.

If you are going to spend time cutting 200 feet of roofing material and pulling 150 square feet of ceiling, do it near the the seat of the fire! If placed strategically, you could essentially cut the ENTIRE roof off of the fire apartment. How’s that for a ventilation opening to stop the lateral spread of fire?

Some officers and firefighters will argue tooth and nail that trench cuts should be utilized on the building types discussed above. Some departments will say that they have been successful in stopping fires in these building types by utilizing a trench cut. I ask those members and those departments this question: How rapid is the fire REALLY extending if you are able to spend 30 minutes to CORRECTLY perform ALL of the tasks described above to utilize a trench cut to stop the fire? I will lay money on the probability that in the majority of the cases nationwide, where a trench cut was credited with saving the building, it was most likely the aggressive operations of the interior companies opening the ceilings and exposing the fire in the cockloft from below. These companies in some cases probably worked without a primary ventilation hole which exponentially complicated their tasks.  In most of those cases, the trench cut was probably not warranted but seemed to coincidentally “work-out”.

This drill summarizes when and where trench cuts may or may not be warranted. I wanted to touch on the background and concepts of trench cuts before diving straight in on the “how-to” steps of cutting one.

As always, I would like to hear your thoughts. Do you agree, disagree, have any comments to add? Jump in brothers!

When replying, please sign your posts with your first & last name.
NO UNSIGNED POSTS will be published.

When I first got on the job a good friend of mine told me “get yourself a K Tool, put it in your pocket and use it as much as possible”, this was great advice because I quickly became very proficient and effective at through the lock forcible entry. Always having the K Tool in my coat pocket made me more willing to use it because it was on me and I did not have to make a trip back to the truck to get it or remember to bring it in the first place.

The one problem with the K Tool was that it is unable to pull all types of locking cylinders, the K Tool’s inability to pull raised mortise locks (raised guards), key-in-the-knob locks, and tubular deadbolts made it a tool that works only some of the time. With the advent of the A Tool, O Tool, and finally the Rex Tool the fire service had a lock pulling device that works all the time.

Now….. the one problem with the Rex Tool was that on very short staffed departments (much like my own department) there simply were not enough hands to carry the Rex Tool, this would leave the tool on the truck a lot of the time while the firefighter (or firefighters… if we were lucky) assigned forcible entry would typically carry the irons and a saw.

So one night I was trying to think of a better way to make sure that I always had a through the lock tool with me when we were running short on the truck, and then it hit me…. why don’t I just cross the K Tool and the Rex Tool! So I went to the fire hall and cut the handle off a standard Rex Tool and welded a bracket for the adz (Photo #1) of the halligan to fit into (much like the one on the K Tool).

After trying the tool for several months and pulling lots of cylinders (Photo #2), I started to think that I may be on to something. I went to the FDIC and took Captain Robert Morris’s forcible entry class and I was rotating through the different stations of the class when I noticed almost the exact same modification on a Rex Tool on the table, I asked Captain Morris about the tool and he told me that he had been using it for a couple of years….. CRAP HE BEAT ME TO IT!!

Captain Morris’s Rex Tool modification was slightly different from my own. Instead of making the bracket for the adz he welded a small piece of pipe onto the top of the tool as shown in Photo #1 (right). This would allow the user to put the pike of the halligan through the pipe and pry the cylinder out of the door (Photo #3).

The Morris Tool (as it is called in my neck of the woods) is a excellent addition to your forcible entry tool box and keeps the through the lock tools in the hands (or pockets) of the short staffed forcible entry team. I have had my Morris Tool in my coat pocket for a couple of years now and it has come in quite handy on many occasions.

A couple of additional photos below:

Keep Learning and Stay Safe Brothers,

Andrew Brassard

How about a professional tactical discussion on building fires. Copy and paste the questions, then answer them on your reply. As always, no unsigned posts or posts that bash another’s tactics will be posted. If you cannot discuss this without bashing tactics, there are plenty of other websites that will allow you to. If you are a young firefighter, feel free to post your concerns or questions on how the guys are coming to their conclusions so you can learn as much as possible.

Your Department:

1. How many apparatus (what type/manpower) will arrive within five minutes of your arrival?
2. How many apparatus (what type/manpower will arrive within 10 minutes of your arrival?
3. How far away is your nearest mutual aid company and what is their manpower when they arrive?

Engine Company Operations:

1. What are your major concerns if arriving first due at this fire?
2. Where will you stretch your first attack line and why?
3. Where will you stretch your second attack line and why?
4. Will you need other lines, if so, how many and where?
5. Will you forward lay or reverse lay and why?
6. Will you call for additional help on arrival?
7. Any other Engine points that you would like to share?

Ladder Company Operations:

1. What are some major concerns if you are the first due ladder company at this fire?
2. What ladder company functions are needed immediately and how will you conduct them?
3. Is roof ventilation a primary concern at this fire?
4. How will you conduct ladder company operations if your department does not have a ladder truck?
5. How will you search this building?

Building Construction & Fire Conditions:

1. Is this a private dwelling or converted multiple dwelling and what are the concerns with each?
2. Where will the fire travel in the next 5 minutes and how will you stop it?
3. What type of construction do you expect and the hazards associated with construction?

**No unsigned posts**

**Copy & paste the questions & answer as you see fit**

It is with deep regret to announce the death of the following member: Firefighter Rick Morris, 54, of the Sedalia Fire Department, as a result of injuries sustained while operating at a house fire located at 1209 S Kentucky Ave in Sedalia, transmitted at 20:34 hours on April 8th, 2008.

Firefighter Morris arrived with two other firefighters and entered the building to locate the seat of the fire. While searching for the fire, rapidly deteriorating conditions overtook the members operating inside the building. As conditions were controlled with a hose line, Firefighter Morris was found lying face down in the building with his SCBA in place and safety device sounding. He was immediately removed from the building and transported by helicopter to Columbia Hospital with second and third degree burns to over 50% of his body. Although his lungs and airway were undamaged by heat conditions, Morris succumbed to his injuries on 04/14/2008 at Columbia Hospital.

Firefighter Morris was a 33 year veteran of the Sedalia Fire Department. He is survived by his wife and four children.

Firefighter Morris is the 43rd firefighter to die in the line of duty in United States in 2008. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and the Sedalia Fire Department.

Firefighter Rick Morris was laid to rest on April 22nd.

May He Rest In Peace

(all photos by: The Sedalia Democrat)

It is with deep regret to announce the death of the following member: Deputy Chief Michael D. Crotty, 24, of the Lawrence Park Township Fire Department, as a result of injuries sustained while operating at a industrial building fire located at 909 Troupe Road in Harborcreek Township, transmitted at 15:45 hours on April 8th, 2008.

Ladder 289 arrived on the scene of a fire in an industrial building and set up for operation. Deputy Chief Crotty took command of the fire and started to direct firefighters when a piece of equipment fell from an aerial ladder and struck him. Deputy Chief Crotty was immediately transported to Hamot Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries at 16:56 hours.

Deputy Chief Crotty was a 6 year member of the Lawrence Park Township Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a career member of the Erie Bureau of Fire since January 2008.

Deputy Chief Crotty is the 38th firefighter to die in the line of duty in United States in 2008. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, the Lawrence Park Township Fire Department and the Erie Bureau of Fire.

Deputy Chief Crotty was laid to rest on April 10th.

May He Rest In Peace

It is with deep regret to announce the deaths of the following members: Fire Captain Robin Broxterman, 37 and Firefighter Brian Schira, 29 of the Colerain Township Department of Fire & EMS as a result of injuries sustained while operating at a private dwelling fire located at 5708 Squirrel’s Nest Court, transmitted at approximately 06:10 hours on April 4th, 2008.

Early Details: Members of first-due Engine 102 were called to an activated residential fire alarm which was upgraded to a basement fire while they responded. Engine 102 arrived to find smoke showing from a private dwelling. Captain Broxterman and Firefighter Schira entered the building to search for the fire and possible trapped occupants while a 3rd firefighter stretched a hose line. Shortly after entering the building, the first floor collapsed into the basement, trapping Captain Broxterman and Firefighter Schira in heavy fire conditions. Rapid Intervention Teams were activated and several valiant attempts to access the trapped firefighters were unsuccessful. At approximately 07:10 hours, the bodies of the Captain Broxterman and Firefighter Schira were located in the basement covered in debris. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Captain Broxterman was a 17 year veteran of the Colerain Township Department of Fire & EMS. She leaves behind two children and a fiancee’ (also a firefighter in a neighboring community). She was the first female to attain the rank of Captain in the Colerain Township Department of Fire & EMS.

Firefighter Schira was a member of the Colerain Township Department of Fire & EMS for less than 1 year. He leaves behind his parents.

Captain Broxterman and Firefighter Schira are the 35th and 36th firefighters to die in the line of duty in United States in 2008. Our thoughts and prayers are with their family, friends and the entire Colerain Township Department of Fire & EMS.

Funeral details will be posted as they become available. We will most likely be in attendance from FDIC (less than 2 hours away). Photos courtesy of IBS/WLWT-TV and the Colerain Township Department of Fire & EMS.

May They Rest In Peace

It is with deep regret to announce the death of the following member: Firefighter Brent A. Lovrien, 35, Station 95 of the Los Angeles Fire Department, as a result of injuries sustained while operating at an electrical explosion in a commercial building located at 8800 block of South Sepulveda Boulevard, in the Westchester section of Los Angeles, transmitted at 13:57 hours on March 26th, 2008.

Members of Station 95 arrived on the scene to investigate several electrical related problems in the area. At approximately 14:23, a fire condition was located in a locked utility room. As members prepared for force entry into the room a catastrophic explosion occurred seriously injuring Firefighter Lovrien and Fire Engineer Anthony Guzman and a civilian. Firefighter Lovrien was removed and succumbed to his injuries shortly after arriving at Centinela Freeman Regional Medical Center. Fire Engineer Guzman was admitted to UCLA Medical Center were he was admitted in serious but stable condition. He was released from the hospital on March 30th. The injured civilian was treated at the scene and released.

Firefighter Lovrien was a 10 year veteran of the Los Angeles Fire Department. He leaves behind his father, mother and brother.

Firefighter Lovrien is the 33rd firefighter to die in the line of duty in United States in 2008. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and the entire Los Angeles Fire Department.

Firefighter Lovrien was laid to rest on April 4th.

AP Photo Courtesy of Damien Dovargenes

May He Rest In Peace