All fire apparatus carry a plethora of tools to assist us on the jobs. Saws are one of them, even on an engine. When we think engine company we don’t think of saws but there comes a time where the truck company may not be available or on scene and time is critical. 

Here are a few uses for saws as an engine company.

1. Forcible Entry. Not all the time will it be as simple as forcing the door with the irons or other hands tools. Sometimes, we may face instances of security gates around doors and windows that are needed for entry or ventilation. Other times, it could be commercial or residential garage doors. Nine out of ten times, your primary response district has commercial and/or residential garage doors. 

2. Ventilation and roof operations. Just like engines carry saws, they also carry ladders. As mentioned, the truck company may be delayed or unavailable at the moment and roof or exterior wall cuts might be needed. This operation could be done by the second arriving engine on scene as the first had pulled the initial attack line and truck work is needed without the availability of a truck. This isn't the primary work of an engine company but some situations or department protocols may require this to take place.

3. Engine compartment access on car fires.  Depending on the situation sometimes getting to the engine compartment isn't has simple as using a halligan to pop hood latch. Sometimes it may take some extra power and a rotary saw might be the best option to get to the latch in order to make a knock on the fire.

4. A backup saw. Sometimes saws fail. No matter how many times it's been checked and maintained mechanical tools sometimes fail, whether it be caused by human error or a mechanical failure, things don't always work when they are needed to work.

There you have it, a few quick uses for saws on the engine. Oftentimes, they're overlooked but should be a valuable tool should the situation call for it.

Until next time; work hard, stay safe & live inspired.