This 4th of July was marked by tragedy in Bellevue Iowa. Someone has posted the emergency radio traffic from this event. I found it very educational. please take a moment to review the material and discuss how your agency would respond to a spontaneous mass casualty event during a community function.
July 05, 2010
June 09, 2010
Stanley FUBAR – Functional Utility Bar – Improving and modifying it
A few years ago a friend of mine blogged about a new product by Stanley. The FUBAR was reported as a demolition tool suited for carpenters and rescue workers alike.
Later that year I was walking around the EMS conference and I stopped to chat with my friends at the DANKO booth. To my surprise they had a “new and improved” fire service version of the FUBAR for sale. Stanley took the basic tool, and sold it in two sizes; an 18” and a 30” for fire fighters. They added a lot of gimickey functions to it. Reading marketing pamphlet the bar now has lots of different functions.
Our premier forcible entry tool designed by responders for vehicle extrication and extreme demolition:
- 8-in-1 tool for prying, splitting, board bending and striking jobs
- Demolition head
- Gas shut-off feature
- Spanner wrench
- Pry bar for ripping
- Hydrant wrench
- 2nd tier board jaw also fits square hydrant nuts
- Board jaw sized specifically for grabbing common dimensional lumber
- Beveled nail slot for pulling & prying nails
- One piece forged steel bar for increased durability
- Heat treated and tempered striking face prevents chipping
- Flame-resistant aluminum grips are durable and lightweight
- Carabiner holes for easy attachment of shoulder strap
- Hi-visibility 3M™ Scotchlite™ enhances visibility
I am generally very leery of fire tools that add scotchlite and spanner wrenches. In spite of the “Whacker” feel of this tool I grabbed a 30” version to test.
I took some time to test it out, and realized that it was a good demolition/overhaul tool, but a lousy forcible entry tool. The ability to pull and tear studs out of a wall, and an aggressive heavy sledge head makes easy work of lath and plaster. Unfortunately forcing a sturdy door was difficult. If you don’t look to closely at the tool it looks like it has an Adz end similar to a Halligan. Unfortunately the FUBARS flat top has no bevel, and there is little clearance for the tool to bite on the doorframe. The bevel on the fork end is also cut in the wrong direction to be useful for forcible entry.
With all of these problems in mind many in the fire service have written off Stanleys tool as a joke. After working with it for the last year I made a few modifications to it, which have turned this bar into a functional forcible entry tool. Take a look at what we did, and give the FUBAR another look.
1. Remove the grips
I found the Stanley scotchlite grips uncomfortable and not functional. I removed them, and replaced them with a standard hockey style tape wrap.
2. Creating an Adz
If this tool is going to be used to force doors it needs to be properly shaped to provide appropriate leverage. The existing shape does not allow for a good perch, or clearance. We flattened the top of the tool, cut a bevel, flattened a few of the "teeth" and rounded the bottom of the Jaw. the rounding looks severe, but the tool still retains its ability to pull lumber.
3. Changes to the fork.
From the factory the fork is cut for construction work. We reversed the bevel to make this tool better for our work.
With all of these modifications we have changed the look, and feel of the FUBAR. We will post more later letting you know how well it preforms under pressure.
For now we wait for the chance to put this tool to the test.
May 04, 2010
April 13, 2010
If you have not registered for the JFD Traditions Training Truck Company Class then read this.
If your a firefighter in Iowa you need to register for the upcoming truck company class in Johnston Iowa. Our Fire Association is hosting instructors from Traditions Training. If after seeing all of the promotional material that we have put out you are still skeptical you should check out a recent interview with TT instructors. The popular "Firefighter Netcast" Podcast interviewed two of the key instructors from this company. In this interview you get a chance to hear the motivation and drive of this unique company. Check out episode 6 for details, and go to www.jfd39.com to register for the class.
March 28, 2010
March 21, 2010
Save the date June 26th Traditions Training Truck company class in Johnston Iowa
The Johnston Fire Department is happy to announce that we are hosting three instructors from the Traditions Training instructor corps. The weekend of June 26th the JFD crew will be hosting instructors who have backgrounds with the FDNY, Kentland, and the Washington DC fire Department. The training program will feature truck company operations for fire departments with, and with out ladder trucks. Follow along with us at www.JFD39.com for more information on this upcoming class.
Saylorville lake spillway 3-21-2010
Iowans are finally seeing warm winter after the 5th snowiest winter on record. Unfortunately this rapid warming has caused flood warnings through out the state. Many communities have started sandbagging, and some are already fighting a spring flood fight. Our friends with the Coast Guard Auxiliary have deployed several key members to augment flooding response in North Dakota and Northern Minnesota. Closer to home we are watching river gauges and planning for the worst. This afternoon i stopped by to see the Saylorville lake spillway to see the water flow through the wide open spillway gates. Below is a video that I shot when I was there.
Enjoy
February 21, 2010
A fundraising idea for dog groups/teams
Many volunteer canine organizations depend upon donations and contributions to sustain their teams. It's often difficult for team members to ask for these badly needed dollars form the general public. I recently saw this unique approach to fund raising. This animal rescue group places fund raising vests on the dogs, and allows them to raise the dollars for the team.
With a lot of community events on the calendar this seams like an opportunity to build public support, and awareness of a volunteer services funding needs.
Recycled Waders
Last fall I was introduced to a neat new company. Recycled Waders is a gear manufacturer who takes well warn fishing waders and repurposes them into usable outdoor products. After looking at their offerings I decided to pick up some of their bags and put them through the paces. Pictured above is the messenger creel. This classic messenger bag is sturdy, well constructed and easy to use. Its open design allows for it to be a very versatile product. The designers also utilized zippers to add several smaller compartments through out the bag.
After hauling this bag to and from the duck blind during duck season i can say that I am very happy with these guys products. It also feels good to know that a bag like this helps keep some used gear out of the land fill.
