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Video Tip: Striking the Halligan & Truck Ops in Longwood, PA

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The Halligan and Axe firefighters must both have strong technique and work together for a fast operations!

The Halligan and Axe firefighters must both have strong technique and work together for a fast operation!

A couple weeks ago, TT Instructors Nick Martin, Danny Doyle, and Mike Stothers travelled to Kennett Square, PA for another class with the Longwood Fire Company -- this one focusing on truck company operations.  The emphasis of the program was on “two-team” truck company operations, covering both inside and outside tasks simultaneously with small crews.

One of the skills covered was conventional forcible entry for inward and outward opening doors.  We talked about having multiple plans and techniques for both a team of 2 and for the lone firefighter.  Proper striking technique is just as essential to a quick and effective forcible entry operation as working the Halligan. Check out this video with tips for the striking (axe) firefighter:

There are striking tools other than the axe -- which do you prefer to use, and WHY?? Let us know in the comments…

To learn more about our “Truck Company Operations” or other programs, please contact us or e-mail info@traditionstraining.com.

Also on TraditionsTraining…

Posted by Nick Martin on February 5, 2010 • Filed under: Company News, Tips & Skills, Truck Company, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics, videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
  • acklan

    In reference to alternates to the axe, I prefer the “TNT” tool to the axe. With the pry bar feature I can take over a perch point while the Haligan repositions. It also has a much heavier weight, so I do not have to swing as far or as hard. In close quarters I find this an advantage.
    The hook on the TNT also makes marrying the tool more secure. Slip the fork on the Haligan over the hook.
    Here are my tools and an illustration. http://www.vententersearch.com/index.php?s=dipp...

  • Robby O

    Im not a fan of the TNT tool….its very heavy, and there is always a sharp end coming toward you when your using it. I also someone try and use the pike pole function hit a truss in the ceiling and broke his wrist.

    I just think there are better tools out there. If I go with anything other than the regular axe, then I go with the splitting maul, or sledge hammer. Heavy to give you enough umpf, and you can still utilize for other functions

  • nmartin33

    Robby I agree on your observations on the TNT. The maul seems like a
    great compromise between sledge and axe, but I have yet to try it
    personally.

    ——————————————
    Nicholas A. Martin
    VP – Traditions Training, LLC
    (610) 637-8315
    *Sent from my wireless device*

  • Robby O

    Im not a fan of the TNT tool….its very heavy, and there is always a sharp end coming toward you when your using it. I also someone try and use the pike pole function hit a truss in the ceiling and broke his wrist.

    I just think there are better tools out there. If I go with anything other than the regular axe, then I go with the splitting maul, or sledge hammer. Heavy to give you enough umpf, and you can still utilize for other functions

  • nmartin33

    Robby I agree on your observations on the TNT. The maul seems like a
    great compromise between sledge and axe, but I have yet to try it
    personally.

    ——————————————
    Nicholas A. Martin
    VP – Traditions Training, LLC
    (610) 637-8315
    *Sent from my wireless device*

  • Robby O

    I have used it and the negative aspects are that with is shape its very hard to utilize the close quarters slide down the halligan ans strike the beveled edge technique. I do think it give you and adnavntage on venthing a roof, and if you have to use it to manually remove security bars in mortor. another negative is that it doesnt marry to the halligan in the traditional fashion. It typically takes some modification. I have seen a peice of metal welded to the top so that you can lide the adz end into it and marry them that way…I have seen the same with the sledge to.

  • Robby O

    I have used it and the negative aspects are that with is shape its very hard to utilize the close quarters slide down the halligan ans strike the beveled edge technique. I do think it give you and adnavntage on venthing a roof, and if you have to use it to manually remove security bars in mortor. another negative is that it doesnt marry to the halligan in the traditional fashion. It typically takes some modification. I have seen a peice of metal welded to the top so that you can lide the adz end into it and marry them that way…I have seen the same with the sledge to.

  • Robby O

    I have used it and the negative aspects are that with is shape its very hard to utilize the close quarters slide down the halligan ans strike the beveled edge technique. I do think it give you and adnavntage on venthing a roof, and if you have to use it to manually remove security bars in mortor. another negative is that it doesnt marry to the halligan in the traditional fashion. It typically takes some modification. I have seen a peice of metal welded to the top so that you can lide the adz end into it and marry them that way…I have seen the same with the sledge to.

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