Do you really know your saws? Are you sure your going to choose the right saw for the job? Are you sure you’ve got the right blades on your saw? Have you really every looked close at your blades? Check out these pictures… The blades may look ok…

How many RPM’s does the 950 or 1250 run? Any truckie should know that one, 4800 at the blade. Look at those blades again, 4300 max rpm and for a stationary saw? Firefighter Joseph Touchet from Kissimmee Fire Department sent in these photos. He ended up finding them on the rig during a morning check out. Good catch! I know may people who would have just thought, cool, new blades, and continued the check out.

Well, we hate to use the term always, so maybe we’ll say… One cut is typically faster than two. This video was referred to us by Stephen Raclaw from Sturtevant, WI, this video shows the brothers from Richmond California forcing entry on an overhead rolling steel door. This one cut method is much quicker than the triangle cut, makes a much larger opening, and is much safer. The brothers from Richmond also get bonus style points for the music selection for this video.

So what is behind door #1? It is very important to read the door, to determine what’s on the other side. We have shown a number of pictures on the site about the “drop bar” and had a few discussions on methods to force entry on some of the unique ones. Check out the supplemental page to read a description about these two doors.

Special thanks goes out to Lt. Matt Rettmer, Castle Rock Fire & Rescue Department and Firefighter Chris Naff, Engine 1, St. Johns County Fire Rescue for sending in these photos.

Firefighter Matt Scallan from Escambia County Engine 19 C sent in an effective way to work smarter, not harder. Check out the Tips from the Bucket Section for a description of this time saving method of carrying the complement of hydraulic extrication equipment. We would like to thank Matt for sending in this tip. Matt has sent us a bunch of great material that we will be introducing in the near future.

A few months ago I was traveling through BWI airport (Baltimore, MD) and saw a sign that caught my attention. Naturally I had to take this picture, even they want to know what’s in your pockets!

Check out the what’s in your pockets page for a few long overdue updates. The updates include a homemade shove knife and a convenient place to store an extra hood.