In the high-stakes world of firefighting, having the right items on your firefighter tools list can mean the difference between life and death. From rapid-response firefighting helicopters to extrication tools that save victims trapped in vehicles, each piece of firefighting equipment on this list plays a vital role in effective emergency response. 

This blog explores the critical tools every firefighter should have, including personal protective gear, fire hoses, fire blankets, and fire extinguishers. Join us as we delve into our essential firefighter tools list to ensure you’re well-equipped to tackle any challenge you face on the front lines. 

Rapid Response Firefighting Helicopter

First up on our firefighter tools list is a firefighting helicopter. Rapid response firefighting helicopters can drop hundreds or thousands of gallons of water or fire retardant onto forest fires for efficient fire suppression. For example, a heavy-lift helicopter from Helicopter Express can carry more than 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant on board via Bambi Buckets. 

Bambi Buckets are made of durable fiberglass or metal and are suspended from the helicopter and engineered for water delivery precision. The internal configuration of the bucket's release system minimizes water loss during transit, and the pilot-controlled valve allows water to be released with pinpoint accuracy. Aerial teams and their ground crews are able to refill these buckets from deep, open water sources such as public lakes, reservoirs, and tanks.

If you don’t have access to a firefighting helicopter, you can hire firefighting choppers that come equipped with powerful water delivery systems, specialized equipment, and experienced crews. See a comprehensive guide to firefighting helicopter types here.

Personal Protective Equipment

Every firefighter needs personal protective equipment on their firefighter tools list, including a helmet, hood, face mask, SCBA, gloves, and boots. Here’s a quick rundown of these items to help you understand how each piece of gear can minimize the risk associated with firefighting and prevent injury and death. 

• Helmet – Fire helmets are typically made of thermoplastic or fiberglass that protect firefighters’ heads from falling debris and extreme heat. Modern helmets include a wide rear bill that prevents hot water and embers from landing on a firefighter’s neck or inside their coat.
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• Hood – Firefighter hoods act as shields to protect firefighters’ faces during firefighting operations.
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• Face Mask – Chronic respiratory issues are a serious risk to firefighters’ health due to frequent encounters with hazardous particles. A first-rate face mask can filter contaminants from the air and deliver a fresh, clean air supply to the responder.
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• SCBA – SCBA stands for “self-contained breathing apparatus.” This is a wearable respiratory device that provides clean, compressed air to help protect firefighters from oxygen deprivation and harmful gas, dust, and vapors.
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• Gloves – Firefighter gloves are designed to be resistant to flames and protect firefighters’ hands from liquid penetration, blisters, cuts, punctures, and minor burns.
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• Boots – Made of rubber or leather, firefighting boots have steel toes to protect responders’ feet from dangerous debris as they climb ladders and navigate hazardous landscapes.

Fire Hose

No firefighter tools list would be complete without a fire hose. The deployment of a powerful and steady stream of water directly upon a flame is one of the most direct actions a firefighter can take for fire suppression. 

Fire hoses are constructed of three key components, including a hose jacket, hose liner, and couplings. Here’s what you should know about each of these vital components:

• Hose Jacket – The fire hose jacket is made of woven filler and warp strands. It protects the inner hose liner from heat and damage and provides the structural integrity needed to withstand high water pressure during fire suppression.
  
  
• Hose Liner – The hose liner, typically made from rubber or thermal plastic, prevents leakage, enhances the strength of the hose, and provides puncture resistance.
  
  
• Couplings – Constructed of either malleable brass or aluminum alloy, couplings connect different sections of hose together. Did you know that familiarity with the couplings on a hose line can actually save your life? If you come into contact with a hose line while lost in a fire with low visibility, you can use the couplings to assess your current position and lead you back to the point of entry.

Ensure the fire hose you add to your firefighter tool kit is constructed of flexible, watertight materials with a smooth lining and a durable covering. You’ll also need to consider which nozzles, fittings, and appliances will allow the hose to deliver water to the fire source with the most power and accuracy. 

Fire Extinguisher

What tools do firefighters use to extinguish small fires? One vital piece of equipment that should be included on every firefighter tools list (and on every fire truck) is a portable fire extinguisher. 

Fires require fuel, heat, and oxygen to burn. When you pull the safety pin and squeeze the lever of a fire extinguisher, you release the fire-suppressant agent inside, similar to how material is released from an aerosol can. Depending on the type of fire extinguisher, this agent could be water, carbon dioxide, a dry chemical (such as sodium bicarbonate), or foam. 

The material released by the fire extinguisher will smother the fuel or suppress the oxygen to eliminate flames quickly and efficiently, making it an essential tool for small fires.

Fire Blanket

A fire blanket is another valuable tool for extinguishing small fires, such as those that ignite in food preparation areas where flammable liquids (such as cooking fats and oils) are frequently used.

Here’s how it works. A fire blanket is composed of two layers: an outer layer made of glass fiber fabric and an inner layer made of a highly flame-resistant material. A fire blanket effectively smothers a fire by cutting off the supply of oxygen, much like placing a lid over a candle to smother a flame. You can toss a fire blanket over a fire or wrap it around an individual who is aflame.

Extrication Tools

What do firefighters use to cut and pry their way into vehicles that have been damaged in car accidents? The hydraulic force of extrication tools can extricate crash survivors from vehicles so they can be treated for minor and life-threatening injuries. 

There are many forcible entry tools used by firefighters and first responders, but here are some of the most important devices to keep in your tool kit that will allow you to respond to crash victims’ needs in a timely manner:

• Cribbing – Cribbing is essential for stabilizing vehicles during rescue missions, ensuring patient safety and the safety of first responders. You can use it to prevent movement during your rescue operation, as a base for lift operations, or to support the use of hydraulic tools.
  
  
• Strut System – Excessive movement of a side-resting vehicle during an extrication incident poses a safety risk to both crash victims and first responders. That’s where extrication tools like strut systems come into play. A strut system containing clusters, chains, ratchet straps, and other components can stabilize and lift a vehicle so you can safely complete your rescue mission and administer aid.
  
  
• Hydraulic Extraction Tool – Commonly referred to as the “jaws of life,” a hydraulic extraction tool should be your primary means of disentanglement due to its high efficiency. This tool will allow you to open or slice through a vehicle frame to rescue trapped individuals. However, it never hurts to be prepared with hand tools you can incorporate into your operations where necessary. These might include reciprocating saws, hi-lift jacks, air chisels, and more.
  
  
• Crash Kit – Crash kits contain essential small hand tools that support safe and efficient disentanglement operations. Some tools to keep in your aid kit include wire and seatbelt cutters, glass removal tools for both tempered and laminated glass, razor knives, pliers, wrenches, and screwdrivers. Deploy your crash kit near the hot zone to support a quicker and more efficient response.

Conclusion

Ensuring you have all the items on our firefighter tools list is essential for safe and successful firefighting operations. Each tool, from firefighting helicopters to extrication devices, plays a crucial role in ensuring your department can respond quickly and efficiently to emergencies. By equipping yourself with the right gear—from personal protective equipment to fire hoses and extinguishers—you can enhance your ability to save lives and prevent property damage. 

Want to learn more about how firefighting helicopters aid fire operations and minimize damage and loss? See the firefighting helicopters in our fleet and discover how our aerial firefighting solutions save lives and land.