Tubular webbing is one of the most versatile tools available to a firefighter and, therefore, one of the most common to carry. Webbing is a piece of strong fabric capable of lifting or supporting hundreds of pounds without tearing. The fabric is usually woven from strong nylon fibers.

It's easy to find reliable stun guns, like the Vipertek VTS-989, for less than $30, while most of TASER's consumer-grade models, like the TASER Pulse, cost $400 or more. TASERs are also more expensive to use—replacement cartridges cost about $20 to $23, depending on if you buy a 10-pack or a 2-pack. Likewise, replacement batteries cost between $10 and $25, depending on your model.

A multi-purpose screwdriver is the best one for the job because it is an all-in-one solution. There are various kinds of screws with a range of threadings that require different screwdriver heads to rotate. The most common are:

The NFPA code 1971, or the Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting sets standards and establishes minimum protection levels against various hazards. The most recent edition prioritizes several critical areas, size being one of the most essential. A glove that fits correctly will offer the most protection and dexterity to the wearer.

Most multi-tools feature one primary tool at the end such as a hammer, wrench, wire cutter or plier. The primary tool is the standard size or near the standard size for that type of tool. Common components found inside a multi-tool include:

All firefighters should have one or more sets of wire cutters on them. Ideally, the firefighter would keep them in separate pockets at different parts of the body so that at least one is accessible at all times.

Wires and cables are prominent in any building. There may be wires in place to enclose a building, transmit gas, run electricity or secure equipment in place. Regardless of the type of wire or cable, it may interfere with a firefighter's ability to reach critical areas.

Exposure to hazards like flames, hot surfaces and sharp objects puts every firefighter's hands in danger. Consequently, firefighters need protective gloves, but the gloves must also ensure hand mobility and dexterity are critical in high-risk rescue situations. Structural firefighting gloves prioritize protection while enabling as much dexterity as possible.

The projectile nature of a TASER renders its wires and propellant unusable after one or two shots, depending on the model. Swapping out the TASER cartridge is easy, but it gives you fewer options when deterring an attack, and spare cartridges are expensive.

This is one of the tools every firefighter should carry. A screwdriver is small and easy to carry, and it is a must-have item. Firefighters use it to remove covers on electrical panels and air conditioning units, but it is applicable to any object that requires rotational force to turn and has threaded fasteners. Fire personnel can use it to assemble or disassemble a range of components.

Visibility is critical to crew safety in fire rescue situations. However, buildings on fire often lose power and fill with smoke, reducing visibility. Additionally, 19% of all fires and 49% of deadly fires that occurred from 2015-2019 broke out between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when sunlight is low or nonexistent.

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Emergency scenes are often calamitous environments with numerous first responders moving through doorways in both directions. Propping a heavily trafficked entryway will expedite the emergency response, allowing firefighters to retrieve victims and extinguish flames faster. The first firefighters through a doorway should prop open the door so crewmembers and equipment can swiftly pass through. Firefighters can keep a door open for entry and egress using a door chock.

The projectile prongs on TASERs make them ubiquitous among law enforcement agencies with police TASER devices offering more range than consumer models—up to 35 feet.

When firefighters carry a variety of useful tools, they are safer and more ready to respond to numerous circumstances. Bunker Gear Specialists provides critical firefighter safety and performance tools, as well as services that ensure their functionality. You can browse our collections online or contact a representative to discuss cleaning, testing, maintenance, repairing and renting tools.

Fire rescue scenes are dangerous environments. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates that 64,875 United States firefighters were injured in the line of duty in 2020. Preparing a fire crew with the appropriate tools can save lives. There are various firefighter hand tools available that improve safety while enhancing their performance by improving visibility, enabling forcible entry, providing weight support and ensuring access to important areas at the scene.

Each firefighter should have multiple flashlights with them when entering a building so that they can improve visibility and signal their location to others. Carrying more than one flashlight is important in case one loses power or gets lost.

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Tubular webbing can function as a harness for self- or assisted rescue from a high or low elevation. Alternatively, a firefighter could tie loops into the webbing that would function as footholes that they could use as steps when hurdling objects or structures. A user could also tie a cow's hitch knot around an object or person they need to lift, lower or secure in place.

Your budget is probably the biggest factor in buying a TASER or a stun gun, but both have strengths and weaknesses. Stun guns are more affordable and easier to reuse, while a TASER helps you keep your distance from violent attackers. Check out our review of the best stun guns to find the best fit for you and learn about stun gun laws.

A door chock is a wedge that inserts above, under or alongside a door to prop it open. Most door chocks are small devices made from wood. They are large enough to jam the door open, but small enough to keep in a jacket pocket. Any fireman should carry two or more door chocks on their person at an emergency scene.

A wire cutter is a half tool with ends that clap together to make a clean cut through a cable or wire. The blades should be sharp enough to cut through the casing and wire swiftly and without causing the wires to fray.

While a TASER device is just as painful as a normal stun gun, it's more effective at incapacitating muscle functions so an attacker can't move.

On the other hand, a TASER uses projectile prongs that attach to a target further away—up to 15 feet. The two prongs spread out when a TASER gun fires, allowing them to land on different body parts. This helps the TASER send electricity across a larger area. Ironically, a TASER's shape is more like a traditional firearm than a generic stun gun is.

Wrenches are crucial to include in every firefighter's standard kit. Similarly to screwdrivers, they loosen or tighten with rotational force. Firefighters can use them for pipe fittings, nuts and bolts. Wrenches come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and the most useful ones that fire service personnel can carry include:

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In contrast, a stun gun is any electroshock weapon. This means that all TASER devices are stun guns—but not all stun guns are TASERs.

Firefighting gloves have three layers. The first is a rugged outer shell that protects against abrasions and lacerations. The outer layer is usually made from leather or a synthetic material like aromatic polyamide. The middle layer is a moisture barrier made from water- and heat-resistant materials like polytetrafluoroethylene. The final layer is a thermal barrier that prevents burns while keeping the wearer's hands warm in cold environments.

When preparedness is a virtue, tools that fulfill multiple needs are valuable. Every firefighter should keep a multi-tool on hand.

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There are four main differences between stun guns and tasers: branding, range, reusability, and price. TASERs are branded projectile weapons, while stun guns are more affordable and require close-range contact with an attacker.

A multi-tool is a pocket-sized device with numerous tools that fold out from its handle. Multi-tools offer the benefits of portability and versatility. A firefighter can slide a multi-tool into their coat pocket to use when a situation arises.

Tubular webbing features a wrap-around design to increase tensile strength. The tube can become even stronger by running a rope through the canal. Manufacturers create tubular webbing either by folding one piece of fabric over itself and stitching it into a tube or weaving the fibers into a tube from the start.

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Most stun guns use a rechargeable battery and don't use projectiles. You can use them as long as the battery still has some juice.

Stun guns are close - proximity devices that require you to be next to the person attacking you. They use a painful shock to discourage further contact.

With such a wide variety of features, a multi-tool can enable any firefighter to respond quickly and effectively in various circumstances. For instance, a multi-tool could break through a window, cut through a seatbelt, slice through wires or shut down a gas line.

TASER—in all caps—is a brand from Axon that helped popularize using electric shock weapons for self-defense. TASER's early popularity meant many people started using it as a generic term, like how dumpster became the de facto term for large trash bins.

A firefighter should have at least four of these in one screwdriver. Instead of running back and forth to the truck or searching various pockets for different screwdrivers, a multi-purpose screwdriver allows a firefighter to save crucial time.

Firefighting gloves are available in various sizes on a numeric scale from 64-82. The numbers represent the index finger's length, but each number is also available in a normal, wide or extra-wide variation.