John Simpson from Osceola County (FL) Truck 72 sent in this simple space saving tip. On most rigs storage space is a major concern. It’s extremely important that we utilize all storage space in the most efficient and effective manner. Truck companies in particular must carry a wide range of equipment, and often run out of room for it all. The picture above demonstrates a simple idea of mating two chain saws together to minimize the space taken up by both saws. A simple chain cover made from some hose protects everything from damage.
The picture below shows the mated saws stored on the compartment shelf. Below the shelf is another great space saving tip. Truck 72 had a bracket made up to store the rotary saw at an angle. This bracket decreases the footprint of the saw in the compartment and maximizes the use of the dead space above the saw. The saw would not have otherwise fit in that particular space.
…Of course ditching that gasoline powered fan would open up that compartment nicely. 🙂 Seriously though, it is extremely important to set the rig up the way that works best for us, not the way someone who sits behind a desk thinks it should be. (The last paragraph was the editorial opinion of Jimm Walsh, not John Simpson.)
We also run Cutters Edge saws. You can slide the bars all the way thru the handles until the chain brake handles meet in the middle if you’re not running the bar guards. This allows you to grab both chain brakes with one hand and carry two saws to your objective with one hand. I learned this from one of our senior Lt’s.
We carry a both a stihl and echo quickvent mated like this, and it works out well for the skinny high-side compartments. Thanks for having the foresight to share this tip. by the way, slick lead in to the ppv debate again. 🙂
I forgot to mention that we just usually donkey kick our K saw into the compartment till it closes.
Nate999,
That can be a very effective technique, however in this set up you will notice the truck has roll-up doors. This will cause you to have to revise your method. You may have to horse stomp the door down to get it to close.
Is that how you close them ??? Damm why did I not think of the “horse stomp” see that is why I love this site !! Thanks DMAN !!!
Im just suprised Jimm hasnt f#$king banned us!
Seen the Cutters Edge mated before, but that bracket for the K-12 is pretty keewwwllll….
We’ve gone from Donkey kick to Horse Stomp now?? Great thinking on saving space!! But… How will this help me pull meters??
Just put the misting rehab fan on the Rehab Unit! Wala, more space. Now you can carry two K-12’s. Just my thoughts!
Roll down doors?? ATOMIC ELBOW!!
Explore the compartment space. Really. Explore the space!
The Atomic Elbow is a wonderful choice for the roll ups, but I prefer the “peoples elbow†with the double elbow tap before impact. Since we don’t have a turn buckle in the bay I just climb on top of the aid-car and drop from there.
MMFS – The People’s Elbow = THE most electrifying move in firefighting (sports) entertainment. If it is electrifying, I think this is how we should pull meters then!
DMAN,, he would never do that.. Out of a staff of over 200 I was named a “necessary evil†LOL, they need guys like us to keep it real so stand proud brother!!!
Oh and once again I will say,,, put those pieces of crap on the engine.. If you need a “depth gauge†or any other BS cool gadget to cut then don’t do it. Drag hose it is much less of an art!!!
A depth gauge?
Oh for fook’s sake…
If you’re gonna take some pictures for the world’s premier truck work website, at least take the fickin’ training wheels off first!
Still, it’s a good idea.
Please send training videos on the following…
1. “donkey kick”
2. “horse stompâ€
3. “ATOMIC ELBOW”
4. “The People’s Elbow”
Thanks!!! ;o)
Don’t forget to Mule Kick any other compartment doors that won’t close!
Seriously though, great idea for the Partner saw!
Question for everyone. K-12 or Chainsaw to a peaked roof? We bring the K-12 for the sole reason there is only 1 chain saw in our district that is actually a vent saw.
We bring the chainsaw (Echo Quick Vent). Never tried the K-12 on a peaked roof (don’t even have carbide blades for them, only masonry diamond and al. oxide). We don’t get a whole lot of fire duty anymore, and even less roof time, so I’d be interested to hear thoughts on the K saw.
On the Career staffed Engine we have a K-12 with a Mulit-Direction Carbide Demolition Blade on the Truck its just a plain ole Carbide blade. The reason we have Saws on the engine is because we don’t work as engine or truck companies, depending on man power we might be doing truck and engine work. We do keep an abrasive blade and a diamond chip blade with the saw. The Volly trucks are mostly outfitted with abrasive blades.
The K-12’s work the nuts with the right blade but so do chain saws with the right blade. We just can’t get the “Brass” to understand the difference of chains We have Echo saws on some of the Volly trucks but they have the wrong chain on them and “Gum” up when cutting through multiple layer of shingles.
Thoughts????
Thanks for the info. We have the saws on each of our front line pieces (2 engines & 2 quints), due to the similar reasons (depending on which units are assigned to the alarm…lots of different auto-aid scenarios). The carbide chains on our echos also tend to gum up pretty quickly and don’t like more than the occasional nail. There’s been mention in the past about getting some carbide blades for the K-12s (seems like they would last longer than our chains), but was met with replies like “just use the chain saw” or “how many roofs do we cut anymore?”. Seems like the brass is the same no matter where you go.
its just like how you would find a new pair of shoes in a box. nice work!