1 Clay Fire Territory Task Manual Section 1: Hand Tools 1.0 – General Overview - Page 1 of 2 The most important level working at an IDLH Incident is the Task Level. This is where the actual work takes place that solves the Incidents problems. Firefighters working in a hazard zone are also performing one of the world’s toughest forms of manual labor. We use water and the tools we bring into the hazard zone to; force entry, put the fire out, search the building, open up the building’s concealed spaces, and perform the necessary type(s) of ventilation. These activities usually start out with our basic set of hand tools and competent water delivery. While these tools are generally primitive and have been around for a while, it is very important that all firefighters know the right tool for the job, as well as being able to use the selected tool safely and effectively. The following section will outline the basic, hazard zone hand tools that we use on a routine basis, along with their best application on the fire ground. Pick Head Axe: Comes with a 28 – 36 inch fiberglass handle with a 6- 8 pound Axe head on one side and a pick head on the other. This is an excellent prying tool when the pick end is used. The blade side of the tool is effective for cutting through wood, siding, and other natural and lightweight material. It is carried by most firefighters on nearly every fire. Flat Head Axe: Also comes with a 28 – 36 inch fiberglass handle with a 6- 8 pound Axe head on one side and a flat head on the other. The axe is used to cut through most natural material. The flat head side of the axe is used as a striking tool. Its most often paired with a prying tool to aid in forcible entry and when coupled with the halligan tool, it is referred to as; the “Set of “Irons". Halligan Bar: A forcible entry and extrication tool that provides firefighters with the needed force or leverage to handle most forcible entry situations. It has a point, a fork and a leverage foot to aid the firefighter in forcing their way into buildings. It can also be used in vehicle extrications as a prying tool. Set of “Irons”: Is a Flat Head Axe combined with the Halligan Bar. This tool set is primarily used for forcible entry. 2 Clay Fire Territory Task Manual Section 1: Hand Tools 1.0 – General Overview - Page 2 of 2 Pike Poles: Are a penetrating and pulling tool that have limited use in forcible entry, but in certain instances, such as breaking glass and opening up walls or ceilings, they are the tools of choice. The standard 6 foot Pike Pole (pictured above) has a point and a “hook” at the end of the pole. It is the best tool to use when removing drywall from ceilings or walls. Pike poles come in varying lengths from 3 feet long (closet Pike) to 14 feet long. There are several different head types that can be used on the end of a pole. Each different attachment has a specific use that it was designed for. Trash Plaster Hook Hook Sledge Hammer: This is a very versatile tool on the fire ground. It is primarily a striking tool. It comes with a 28 – 36 inch fiberglass handle with a 6 to 10 pound head. This is the best striking tool to use in forcible entry and vehicle extrication. Bolt Cutters: Is a tool used for cutting chains, padlocks (that are NOT case hardened) bolts, rebar, and wire mesh. It has long handles and short blades, with compound hinges to maximize leverage and cutting force. 2 bolt cutters are carried on the apparatus, one large set and a smaller set used primarily for wire and smaller locks. Prybar: Is a tool consisting of a long metal bar with a single curved end and flattened points. It is used as a lever to force apart two objects. 3 Clay Fire Territory Task Manual Section 2: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 2.0 – General PPE Overview - Page 1 of 1 A Thermal Protective Performance (TPP) test rating is required for all structure firefighting gear. The TPP test evaluates the garment material’s thermal insulation in the presence of both direct flame and radiant heat. The purpose of the TPP is to measure the length of time that the person wearing the garment or related equipment can be exposed to a heat source before incurring a second degree burn, or skin blistering. A TPP rating of 35 is required for structural fire fighting protective clothing to meet the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. A 35 TPP rating will protect a firefighter from flashover temperatures (1,000 to 1,200 degrees F) for 12 to 15 seconds before resulting in a 2nd degree burn. All Clay FD PPE meets or exceeds all NPFA standards. All undergarments must be 100% natural fibers. Full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Consists of 7 separate items that are all worn in conjunction together, prior to entering an IDLH Hazard Zone. They are: 1. Helmet 2. Nomex/PBI hood 3. Jacket 4. Gloves 5. Bunker pants 6. Boots 7. SCBA (next section) Helmet: Structural helmets are made of either thermoplastic or composite material. The brim at the rear of the helmet is longer than the front and a face shield(s) is usually attached to the front. Nomex/PBI hood: Made with either Nomex or PBI fibers. This garment protects all of the skin above the coat collar that is not being covered by the SCBA face mask. Jacket: A turnout jacket consists of 3 main layers; 1) An outer heat shell constructed of a PBI/Kevlar weave 2) A moister barrier layer and, 3) A thermal liner. The back of the jacket contains a fallen firefighter drag harness that can be deployed by raising the Velcro flap and pulling the drag strap. Gloves: Structural firefighting gloves employ the same functional three-layer construction as the other turnout gear. There is a shell, which may be either leather or textile. Inside the shell is a moisture barrier or barrier layer that may be separate or combined with a thermal lining. Bunker pants: Are also constructed with the same materials as the jacket. Newer bunker gear also has waterproof knee pads integrated in their construction. A good firefighter will always use red suspenders to hold up their bunker pants. Boots: Newer bunker boots are constructed using insulated leather with oil resistant rubber soles. All structural firefighting boots have steel toes to prevent toe injuries and a steel insole to prevent puncture injuries to the bottom of the foot. 4 Clay Fire Territory Task Manual Section 3: Firefighter Skills Course 3.0 – General Overview - Page 1 of 4 One of the physical activities that all recruits will participate in during the academy is the skills course. The skills course is designed to simulate the actual work we routinely perform on the fire ground. The intention of the skills course is to train recruits to perform critical fire ground tasks using various firefighting tools, wearing full protective clothing, breathing from an SCBA, while following all of Clay Fire's air management policies. The course was designed to simulate activities of an actual working fire, where firefighters often breath down two full SCBA bottles during the course of the incident. The skills course also serves as a valuable tool for the recruit training officers to assess tool and job skills, initiative, team work, and the aerobic conditioning of the recruit based on their air consumption rates. Training captains will participate with you in the skills course to determine an acceptable pace for the company and to monitor the safety of the crew. Other department members may sometimes participate as an extra member or supervisor of the crew. All tasks will be evaluated by the company officer to ensure that the recruits receive maximum instruction in handling the various tools while properly performing all of the skill stations. All recruits are expected to possess the strength and conditioning necessary to keep up with their crew and maintain fire ground accountability. Close teamwork is required to ensure that all recruits operate in a safe manner and receive the benefit of learning the techniques required for the skills from their company officer. Another great benefit of the skills course is the physical conditioning that you’ll develop over the course of the academy, as well as building a sense of camaraderie and team spirit with your fellow classmates. There are 3 phases of the Clay Fire Recruit Academy. The last phase of the academy is the Firefighter 1 and 2 instruction and certification process. In the first 2 stages, prior to the Firefighter 1 and 2 portion of the academy, recruits will run the skills course while not wearing an SCBA. Once all recruits are certified to wear an SCBA at the start of the FF 1 & 2 phase of the academy, all skill course evolutions will be performed wearing your full PPE and SCBA while adhering to all of Clay Fire's air management policies. 5 Clay Fire Territory Task Manual Section 3: Firefighter Skills Course 3.0 – General Overview - Page 2 of 4 Before setting up the course, the recruits will be divided up into 4 person companies. Each company will have a company officer assigned to them. All passport and accountability SOP's will be followed while working on the training grounds.