BY DONNY STEFANI
Many fire departments around the country face short-staffed firegrounds. We still have a job to do and often have to adapt to the situations we encounter. Making entry into a property protected by a chain and padlocked gate could create a challenging situation when only one firefighter is available. It is difficult for a single firefighter to use a padlock breaker (duck bill) or to insert a halligan into the lock’s hasp and hit it with an ax, and it can cause an injury if the lock suddenly blows apart, the handle of the tool hits the firefighter, or the firefighter loses his balance while swinging.
Consider that the owner already has had some type of loss and that gaining entry to help reduce the loss shouldn’t create more damage. Of course, after a proper size-up and if time permits, we could try a through-the-lock technique or attack the weakest part of the system. A method that benefits the firefighter and the owner is to cut the chain’s link as close to the lock as possible instead of cutting the lock. First, it allows the property owner to re-secure the property after the incident. Second, some locks are very expensive, and it is good public relations to avoid property damage whenever we can.
Traditionally, a single firefighter would place tension on the chain links with a halligan by inserting the pike end in the lock or in a link of the chain and twisting it until it becomes taut. The halligan is then set against the door or building, and the single firefighter can cut the link with the saw. On a chain-link gate, the halligan might not sit flush enough to provide the adequate tension needed to cut.
Another option is to use a roof hook. Place the hooked end in the lock and the prying end of the hook on the ground while placing one foot or one knee on the hook, depending on the height of the lock (photos 1, 2). This places tension on the chain while the firefighter’s hands are free to operate the saw—allowing a single firefighter to cut a link. Depending on the location of the chain and lock, the firefighter can hold the saw in a vertical or a horizontal position to make the cut (photos 3, 4). Use caution whenever holding a saw over your chest height and cutting. When the cut is finished, there is a tendency for the saw to drop down toward the operator.
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| (1) The firefighter places a knee on the hook, keeping the chain taut, as he cuts through it. (Photos by Erika Stefani.) |
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| (2) Depending on the locations of the chain and the lock, the hook may have to be positioned at different levels. When the hook is at a lower angle, it may be more advantageous to use your foot to hold the hook and chain in place. Click to view video |
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| (3) Use caution when cutting above your chest; the saw has a tendency to drop after making the cut. Support it at all times to avoid a drop.. |
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| (4) Wear the appropriate safety equipment and glasses to avoid being injured. |
Always use caution when applying pressure to the chain with the saw. As the blade cuts through the link, control the saw and prevent it from dropping. Always support the saw and control it through the entire cut. When cutting metal, start the saw blade spinning at low revolutions per minute (rpm) to establish a groove in the chain. Once the groove is started, bring the saw up to full rpm to cut the chain. It may be easier to start a groove on both sides of the link so that both legs are cut in one application (photo 5). When cutting the link nearest the hook’s head, don’t let the blade come in contact with the hook, or it could get damaged (photo 6).
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| (5) It may be easy to cut both legs of a chain link in one cut. Avoid contact with the head of the hook. |
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| (6) When cutting close to the hook’s head, don’t allow the blade to contact the tool, which could cause damage. |
Wear the appropriate eye protection and personal protective equipment to shield yourself from injury from metal shrapnel. Although this operation isn’t an everyday occurrence, it’s another way to use our tools to advantage when staffing isn’t adequate. Add this tactic to your mental toolbox so you are better prepared to gain entry into the rear of a structure or a gated complex when your department is short-staffed.
DONNY STEFANI is a lieutenant and has been a member of the St. Lucie County (FL) Fire District for 15 years. He has a B.S. degree in fire service administration from Waldorf College. He is a Florida fire instructor and an adjunct instructor at Indian River State Fire College and the Ft. Lauderdale (FL) Fire Expo. He serves in the Treasure Coast Fools Training program.
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