A female responder from Kansas write asking for suggestions for a personal response kit. What suggestions do you have for her?
Her question:
Dear Mr. Moore,
I am a volunteer firefighter and first responder (EMT level), only with the department since July 2005. There are many calls on which I am the only responder available during the day, when most of our volunteers are at their jobs. I perform both fire and accident/medical response services for my area, which is a minimum of 30 minutes from EMS arrival from town. Given this circumstance, do you have a recommendation for a tool or tools I can carry which would enable me to gain entrance, especially via windows of cars and buses? (I am a 5'3" woman, so I don't have the strength to use some of our fire station's tools on my own!)
My reply:
Some things I can think of that would be valuable to you include;
a spring punch for tempered glass breaking
paramedic serrated edge scissors for seatbelt cutting ( more versatile than a seatbelt cutter)
a small pry tool, like a Stanley Wonder Bar, for peeling away things such as interior trim
a small pliers-type tool for cutting battery cables
a fire-resistive blanket for covering a patient ( I use the Pyro Shield here in McKinney)
something to write with (permanent ink Sharpie magic marker)
a forcible entry tool for prying (Halligan bar or something like the Pry-Axe tool)
ANSI-approved safety glasses and leather-palmed work gloves that you can wear latex gloves underneath
a California-style brush / wildland jacket for upper body protection
a flashlight (LED-type bulb)
a rock climbing-type helmet with chin strap that is low profile and has a small brim
Her question:
Dear Mr. Moore,
I am a volunteer firefighter and first responder (EMT level), only with the department since July 2005. There are many calls on which I am the only responder available during the day, when most of our volunteers are at their jobs. I perform both fire and accident/medical response services for my area, which is a minimum of 30 minutes from EMS arrival from town. Given this circumstance, do you have a recommendation for a tool or tools I can carry which would enable me to gain entrance, especially via windows of cars and buses? (I am a 5'3" woman, so I don't have the strength to use some of our fire station's tools on my own!)
My reply:
Some things I can think of that would be valuable to you include;
a spring punch for tempered glass breaking
paramedic serrated edge scissors for seatbelt cutting ( more versatile than a seatbelt cutter)
a small pry tool, like a Stanley Wonder Bar, for peeling away things such as interior trim
a small pliers-type tool for cutting battery cables
a fire-resistive blanket for covering a patient ( I use the Pyro Shield here in McKinney)
something to write with (permanent ink Sharpie magic marker)
a forcible entry tool for prying (Halligan bar or something like the Pry-Axe tool)
ANSI-approved safety glasses and leather-palmed work gloves that you can wear latex gloves underneath
a California-style brush / wildland jacket for upper body protection
a flashlight (LED-type bulb)
a rock climbing-type helmet with chin strap that is low profile and has a small brim
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