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Firefighter Extrication Tools

Firefighters do much more than fight fires. They are first responders to a wide variety of emergencies some being fires, medical emergencies and car accidents. They are often responsible, not just for extinguishing fires, but extricating people from hazardous situations, such as being trapped in an automobile after a collision.

  1. Spreaders

    • Commonly known as "The Jaws of Life," spreaders are hydraulic arms used to pry things apart -- usually doors. Spreaders are powerful, utilitarian tools that firefighters can use to pry just about anything apart or off -- such as a log or rock trapping a person. They are heavy machines, in the neighborhood of 50 pounds, but, they are relatively portable for such a powerful device.

    Rescue Saws

    • A rescue saw is a special kind of circular saw. A lightweight gas engine powers it. The blade is forward of the engine, like a chainsaw, and has a protective guard on top of the blade. Blades are multi-purpose, often carbide or diamond. These blades can cut anything, including metal. Few tools have such versatile cutting power with such light weight.

    Airbags, Struts & Bladders

    • Fesponders employ many extrication tools, other tools cana be slightly adapted for rescue work. Pneumatic rescue tools are more than slightly adapted. This series of specialty pneumatics uses air- power brace components on damaged or fallen buildings and to lift cars or even buses off of people. An air strut is like a temporary brace to carry point-loads. For example, flat airbags or bladders can lift an entire layer of concrete such as one floor of a parking garage. Air cushions function in a similar fashion, though their inflated shape is cylindrical, so they're used in applications appropriate for their shape. Each of these tools is only effective if used in conjunction with an air compressor capable of producing enough volume and air pressure to operate them.

    Fireman's Axe

    • It's not as sophisticated as other tools, but it's fast and effective. A fireman's axe has a blade on one side and a spike on the other. The blade side can easily slash through a door to extract a person in a burning house. The spike or pick side can either break through something ,such as glass, or it can stick in something such as wood, which they can remove by pulling or prying. It can effectively cut through debris in a burning building, or a firefighter can use it pierce, then pull or pry things out of the way.

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