Hand Tools
Hand tools are non-mechanical tools used by firefighters to build and hold a fireline. Handtools are used to clean fuels on a fireline, which is a pathway around the perimeter of a fire. When a flaming fire reaches a fireline it runs out of fuel to burn and, under the right conditions, is reduced to a smoldering phase until all available fuel burns up or firefighters cool and/or smother the remaining flames.
Hand tools have various uses and many have multiple functions. The general categories of hand tools are: burning, swatting, scraping, chopping, or grubbing. This section contains brief descriptions of the hand tools listed in the following table. It also contains tips on Chopping Tool Safety and Grubbing Tool Safety.
| Fuel Bottles | Firing Devices |
| Firefighting Shovel | Council Fire Swatter Flap |
| Firefighting Broom | McLeod Rake |
| Council Rake | Fire Rake |
| Pulaski | Brush Axe |
| Double Bit Axe | Single Bit Axe |
| Hazel Hoe | Bush Hook |
- Fuel Bottles : Portable bottles used by hand crews building line in remote locations.
- Brush Axe : An uncommon small single blade ax used to cut through small diameter material.
- Double Bit Axe : An effective chopping tool uncommon for fire operations.
- Single Bit Axe : An effective chopping tool used mainly be fallers for applying wedges.
- Hazel Hoe : Hoe with 6-inch blade designed for grubbing.
- Bush Hook : Designed to clear dense brush through a "pulling" stroke.
- Hand Tool Safety Guidelines
- Firing Devices (Fusees, Drip Torches) : Used for burning fuel between fire and control line as a suppression tactic. Also used in prescribed burning to accomplish several objectives.
- Firefighting Shovel : A verstile tool with a long history in wildland firefighting.
- Council Fire Swatter Flap : Used to swat and smother fire in light fuels.
- Firefighting Broom : Broom designed for beating out small flames and removing light fuels from fire line.
- McLeod Rake : Rake with large strong teeth and wide hoe blade for ease of removing duff, and needle, leaf, and bark litter.
- Council Rake : Rake used in light brush, duff, and small roots.
- Fire Rake : Rake used to remove light combustible materials from fire line.
- Pulaski : A dual purpose tool used for grubbing and chopping.
Encyclopedia ID: p311
