Personal tools, and no, this is not about what is in your pockets!

[FyredUp]

Okay, of late I have seen a few guys buying personal tools, an example would be at least one guy on my career FD has bought his own Halligan tool.

My son, and a couple of his friends on our local volly FD are talking about buying tools, like Halligans, axes, and hooks of their own.

Is it just me or does that seem just a wee bit extreme? I will admit that back in the day when my volly FD had VERY limited funds, (as compared to today when we just have limited funds) I too considered it simply because we had no Halligan tool. I never followed through because well, I was just too damn poor.

So talk to me, what do you think?

[Chenzo]

Okay, of late I have seen a few guys buying personal tools, an example would be at least one guy on my career FD has bought his own Halligan tool.

My son, and a couple of his friends on our local volly FD are talking about buying tools, like Halligans, axes, and hooks of their own.

Is it just me or does that seem just a wee bit extreme? I will admit that back in the day when my volly FD had VERY limited funds, (as compared to today when we just have limited funds) I too considered it simply because we had no Halligan tool. I never followed through because well, I was just too damn poor.

So talk to me, what do you think?

I want a FUBAR. That's really about as far as I'll go. Would it be interesting/cool to have your own halligan? Yeah I guess. But I don't need it. I would like one of those fullsize FUBAR tools though.

[MassFireGuy]

Okay, of late I have seen a few guys buying personal tools, an example would be at least one guy on my career FD has bought his own Halligan tool.

My son, and a couple of his friends on our local volly FD are talking about buying tools, like Halligans, axes, and hooks of their own.

Is it just me or does that seem just a wee bit extreme? I will admit that back in the day when my volly FD had VERY limited funds, (as compared to today when we just have limited funds) I too considered it simply because we had no Halligan tool. I never followed through because well, I was just too damn poor.

So talk to me, what do you think?

This sets a BAD precedence. A really bad precedence and should stop immediately. It is the cities responsibility. It is that clear cut. Next time the department goes to the city for gear or tools, they'll say , "Why? You guys go out and buy them all the time. Why don't you go buy it now."

Maybe we should go out and buy our own engines to ride to work in...

[BoxAlarm187]

We have a number of guys that carry thier own tools, flashlights (Vulcans usually), and the like. There's never been a question of the availability of tools, as the county is very good to us. Some of the personnel feel that a particular tool might help them be more effective at the job. There's never been a question of not purchasing tools for us because some of the folks have purchased their own over time....

[Jasper 45]

Okay, of late I have seen a few guys buying personal tools, an example would be at least one guy on my career FD has bought his own Halligan tool.

Is it just me or does that seem just a wee bit extreme?

I guess it depends on context or intent of use. Many guys here buy their own tools, such as hand lights, a few probars, and the TnT tool. Guys will also purchase their own bailout kits. If the department doesn’t provide it for you, and you feel the tool is important to your job, who is the responsibility for taking care of it?
If we wait for the department/city to provide a means for us to conduct emergency egress, guys will be forced to jump or burn. If a guy is promoted to lieutenant or driver here, they will be on the road for two to three years; maybe they feel a need to have a consistent or better hand light, or a heavier-gauge hand tool.

It could get to a point of being extreme, which is why I think it depends on context. How many guys buy their own pliers, knives, etc…

This sets a BAD precedence. A really bad precedence and should stop immediately. It is the cities responsibility. It is that clear cut. Next time the department goes to the city for gear or tools, they'll say , "Why? You guys go out and buy them all the time. Why don't you go buy it now."

Maybe we should go out and buy our own engines to ride to work in...

I will buy whatever I feel I need to improve my safety, if the city doesn’t provide it for me. That is not a slippery slope, or leading us to the point of buying our own rigs. I know virtually every guy out there does the same thing. The city doesn’t provide myself with a knife, window punch, emergency egress kit, etc… Does that mean I shouldn’t supply myself with them, even though having those tools will make myself safer?
Every job I am familiar with has some kind of clothing allowance, or annual payout for some type of uniform/clothing/personal item purchases.
Besides, if it isn’t covered by a law or in the wording of a CBA, the city doesn’t have an obligation to provide it.

[TruckSixFF]

All of our Truck, and Engine Companies, and squad are pretty well stocked with forcible entry tools, and a wide variety of different style hooks (pike poles,NY hooks, trash hook, drywall poles) but guys on my job do sometimes buy their own tools. For example, I bought/carry my own box light (Streamlight Vulcan) that I carry on my gut belt. Some guys buy their own maul, or pickhead ax. A lot of guys like carrying a maul rather then a flat head ax when using the irons. Guys will buy their own maul, tape it up to their liking, and weld a U-shaped piece of metal on the top of the mauls head to marry it with a halligan. Most of our "company" mauls have this weld, but some guys like to carry their own shi% I guess. Each of our houses have gear racks for bunker gear, and guys just keep their personal tool next to their gear and throw it on the rig at the start of the shift and reverse the process by putting it back in their locker with their gear at the end of the 24 hours.

[GTRider245]

I don't have a problem with it. Some guys here have done it, but normally only if it is a tool the department doesn't provide. We have a standard list of equipment that each engine and truck company has. If it is beyond that, and you want one, it is up to you to go get one. For instance, the department buys Hooligans. Some guys like Pro Bars. The department still buys pike poles. Some of us prefer roof hooks.

I too agree that this is not as dramatic of an issue as some people would make you believe.

[FyredUp]

This sets a BAD precedence. A really bad precedence and should stop immediately. It is the cities responsibility. It is that clear cut. Next time the department goes to the city for gear or tools, they'll say , "Why? You guys go out and buy them all the time. Why don't you go buy it now."

Maybe we should go out and buy our own engines to ride to work in...

I am not sure that a few guys buying personal tools will lead to the city not buying reqired equipment. I suppose weirder things have happened.

I would go along with buying our own engines if we bought Mack CF's and had them torn apart and completely refurbed so they were as good as new!!

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

I am not sure that a few guys buying personal tools will lead to the city not buying reqired equipment. I suppose weirder things have happened.

I would go along with buying our own engines if we bought Mack CF's and had them torn apart and completely refurbed so they were as good as new!!

Mack needs to get back into the fire apparatus business.

[FyredUp]

Mack needs to get back into the fire apparatus business.

Hallelujah!! Testify my Brother!! TESTIFY!!

AND bring back the CF!! Man I love my volly FD's 1974 CF. I got myself assigned to that versus our newer engine. 36 years old and it met pump test last year while only running 20 rpms over new!! A beautiful rig, that is as tough as it is realiable.

[Rescue101]

Hallelujah!! Testify my Brother!! TESTIFY!!

AND bring back the CF!! Man I love my volly FD's 1974 CF. I got myself assigned to that versus our newer engine. 36 years old and it met pump test last year while only running 20 rpms over new!! A beautiful rig, that is as tough as it is realiable.

CF AND the MC,both have their places. T.C.

[chiapet]

I see nothing wrong with a firefighter buying a tool that will make his job smoother and more productive. We all have at some point in our careers been subjected to equipment that the trainning division saw fit for use and it was a piece of poo poo. At my department we have a tradition of handing down personal tools from the senior Firefighters(firefighter only, no D/Es, LTs, BCs, or Capts) to a new recruit who exemplifies what a firefighter should be and so on. My tool has been in the suck for the last 30 years and I just passed it down to my best probie. I believe this promotes brotherhood and pride and helps the new recruits in striving for the best they can be.

[slackjawedyokel]

The CF and MC have their places --- the CF fighting fire and the MC hauling garbage.

[ChiefKN]

Hallelujah!! Testify my Brother!! TESTIFY!!

AND bring back the CF!! Man I love my volly FD's 1974 CF. I got myself assigned to that versus our newer engine. 36 years old and it met pump test last year while only running 20 rpms over new!! A beautiful rig, that is as tough as it is realiable.

We are in the process of replacing our last CF. A 1980 100' Aerial.

We used to be all Mack CF's.. my favorite a 1984 that we replaced 3 years ago.

As for buying your own tools... I don't get it. Just one more thing to grab from the locker and carry onto the apparatus. I've never found myself in a position that the apparatus didn't have the tool I wanted or needed.

But that's just me...

[hwoods]

Yep!...........

The CF and MC have their places --- the CF fighting fire and the MC hauling garbage.

YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!.......................