Pulaski The invention of the pulaski is credited to Ed Pulaski, an assistant ranger with the United States Forest Service, in Although a similar tool was first introduced in 1876 by the Collins Tool Company. Ed Pulaski was famous for taking action to save the lives of a crew of 45 firefighters during the disastrous August 1910 wildfires in Idaho. Ed Pulaski was famous for taking action to save the lives of a crew of 45 firefighters during the disastrous August 1910 wildfires in Idaho.

Sharpening Pulaskis You might not be familiar with Pulaskis, or how to sharpen one. Again, it starts with the right sharpening tool, like the 12-in. flat mill bastard file. You might not be familiar with Pulaskis, or how to sharpen one. Again, it starts with the right sharpening tool, like the 12-in. flat mill bastard file. Then, follow these steps: Then, follow these steps: Taper the cutting edge 2 in. (50 mm) wide with an even bevel on each side Taper the cutting edge 2 in. (50 mm) wide with an even bevel on each side Bevel the grubbing edge 3/8 in. (10 mm) wide straight across on a 45-degree angle on one side of the head only Bevel the grubbing edge 3/8 in. (10 mm) wide straight across on a 45-degree angle on one side of the head only

MCLeod The combination tool was created in 1905 by Malcolm McLeod, a US Forest Service ranger at the Sierra National Forest. The combination tool was created in 1905 by Malcolm McLeod, a US Forest Service ranger at the Sierra National Forest. With a large hoe-like blade on one side and a tined blade on the other. With a large hoe-like blade on one side and a tined blade on the other.

McLeod sharpening The hoe blade portion of the McLeod should be beveled to 45-degree angle with the 12-in. The hoe blade portion of the McLeod should be beveled to 45-degree angle with the 12-in. Flat bastard file on the outside face of the blade making sure the blade stays straight. Flat bastard file on the outside face of the blade making sure the blade stays straight.

Broom Rake The broom rake was the most common fire tool. The broom rake was the most common fire tool. The rake quickly clears a path of leaves and is an efficient tool in areas where there is little brush and the primary material burning is leaves. The rake quickly clears a path of leaves and is an efficient tool in areas where there is little brush and the primary material burning is leaves.

Forest Fire Shovel Forest Fire Shovel is forged from a single piece of high carbon steel. Forest Fire Shovel is forged from a single piece of high carbon steel. Solid shank with forward turned steps for ease of use Solid shank with forward turned steps for ease of use Heat treated and tempered for toughness and durability Heat treated and tempered for toughness and durability Study ash handle is driven into socket and riveted. Study ash handle is driven into socket and riveted. Shovel meets USFS specification Shovel meets USFS specification Made in USA Made in USA FSS Approved FSS Approved

Shovel sharpening Sharpen blades with a mill bastard file. Start filing the edge just below the foot rest and work to the point. Sharpen blades with a mill bastard file. Start filing the edge just below the foot rest and work to the point. File away from blade center. File away from blade center. Maintain the bevel on the inside (top) surface of the blade approximately at a 45° angle. Maintain the bevel on the inside (top) surface of the blade approximately at a 45° angle. Sharpen square-edge and tapered-edge shovels on the bottom only. Sharpen square-edge and tapered-edge shovels on the bottom only. Final honing is unnecessary. Final honing is unnecessary.

Council Tool Council Tools are sharp toothed and cut through sod and small roots to clear a fire line. Council Tools are sharp toothed and cut through sod and small roots to clear a fire line.

Fire rakes Fire rakes resemble standard garden rakes except that the tines are broader and more triangular. Fire rakes resemble standard garden rakes except that the tines are broader and more triangular. Sometimes referred to as council rakes or council tools. Sometimes referred to as council rakes or council tools. You’ll use them in fireline construction, mop-up, and burning-out operations in areas where you won’t need the hoe function of a McLeod. You’ll use them in fireline construction, mop-up, and burning-out operations in areas where you won’t need the hoe function of a McLeod.

Flapper or Swatter Called a flapper, a swatter or a beater, this tool's long handle allows firefighters to stand well back from hot grass fires while literally swatting out the flames with the thick rubber flap. Called a flapper, a swatter or a beater, this tool's long handle allows firefighters to stand well back from hot grass fires while literally swatting out the flames with the thick rubber flap. Where ground cover is short, the flapper can be dragged along the fire edge to smother the fire. Where ground cover is short, the flapper can be dragged along the fire edge to smother the fire.

Fire swatter uses You use fire swatters, sometimes called flappers or flails, to smother fires in light fuels such as: You use fire swatters, sometimes called flappers or flails, to smother fires in light fuels such as: Pasture grasses Pasture grasses Pine-needle litter Pine-needle litter Light hardwood litter Light hardwood litter

Drip Torch This drip torch, filled with a mixture of diesel and gasoline allows fire fighters to drip a line of fire for backfiring along an established control line. This drip torch, filled with a mixture of diesel and gasoline allows fire fighters to drip a line of fire for backfiring along an established control line.

Backpack Pump Backpack pumps held 5 gallons of water and use an adjustable pump nozzle to spray a stream of water fairly high into trees to put out smoldering snags. Backpack pumps held 5 gallons of water and use an adjustable pump nozzle to spray a stream of water fairly high into trees to put out smoldering snags.

Hand tools introduction Hand tools play a major role in controlling wildland fires. A hand tool’s effectiveness is Hand tools play a major role in controlling wildland fires. A hand tool’s effectiveness is directly related to your knowledge of how, when, and where to safely use it and the care directly related to your knowledge of how, when, and where to safely use it and the care you give it. Even the finest tool won’t get the job done if it’s wrongly used or poorly maintained. you give it. Even the finest tool won’t get the job done if it’s wrongly used or poorly maintained.

Safety in carrying hand tools Do not run with hand tools Do not run with hand tools Walk and work 10 feet (3 m) apart from other firefighters hold the tool at its balance point Walk and work 10 feet (3 m) apart from other firefighters hold the tool at its balance point Keep the tool at your side and close to your body, not on your shoulder Keep the tool at your side and close to your body, not on your shoulder Position the cutting edges away from your body Position the cutting edges away from your body Situate the tool on the downhill side when walking across a slope Situate the tool on the downhill side when walking across a slope Pass other workers by signaling and waiting for the right of way Pass other workers by signaling and waiting for the right of way Transfer the tool handle first when passing the tool to others Transfer the tool handle first when passing the tool to others

Safety in using hand tools Keep your eyes on what is being cut Keep your eyes on what is being cut Wear safety glasses at all times Wear safety glasses at all times Use the proper grip and stance Use the proper grip and stance Use short strokes Use short strokes Watch your cutting angle and path of the tool head Watch your cutting angle and path of the tool head Store tools safely when not in use Store tools safely when not in use

Identify THREE correct procedures when using hand tools. Walk and work 10 ft. (3 m) apart Walk and work 10 ft. (3 m) apart Hold tools at their balance point Hold tools at their balance point Carry hand tools on your shoulder for support Carry hand tools on your shoulder for support Hold tools with the cutting edge toward your body Hold tools with the cutting edge toward your body Use short strokes when cutting Use short strokes when cutting

Brush hooks Use a brush hook, sometimes called a brush axe, to cut down: Use a brush hook, sometimes called a brush axe, to cut down: Small shrubs Small shrubs Small trees Small trees Tall grasses Tall grasses