Lt. Ray McCormack from FDNY Ladder 28 sent in this method of organizing the set of elevator keys. Most rigs simply carry the elevator keys exactly how they came from the supplier on a large ring. This large ring may work for keeping the keys together for storage on the rig, but that is about it. Using the keys while they are on the ring is another story. Ray’s method uses a pouch made from an old removable bunker gear knee pad. The Morning Pride knee pads used here already had the ridges (compartments) sewn in them, so a simple cut with a razor knife was all that it took. As you can see a small strap with clip holds the roll together.
26 thoughts on “Organization is Key”
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Just another example of what a little bit of thinking and enginuity will do for you… great idea.
Ray you sir are a genius, now to find a removable kneepad as our current quartermaster doesn’t have them put in our Morning Pride Gear.
Ray,
Champ, would be glad to see that more of the FDNY is doing their part to recycle…
Its the simple things that make life easier.
Brotherhood above all.
Stay safe.
OUTSTANDING IDEA! THANKS BROTHER…..
Thank you for sharing Brother it really means alot. Also, I want to wish everyone a safe and prosperous New Year. May we see a dramatic decrease in the lives lost while doing our jobs; paid or volunteer, lets all come home.
awesome idea, gonna make this up and put it on the rig right away!
Good idea but it defeats the whole reason for the big ring- To fireman proof the elevator keys(from going missing). Imagine the gasps of horror at the next stuck elevator when you unroll the kit to find two elevator keys, a broken pencil and a half eaten snickers bar tucked into those slots.
Stay safe all.
Awesome Idea! I love the title too, a great play on words.
you can also check out Lt. McCormack’s insightful rants on thehousewatch.com
FTM-PTB
Nice yes, but I, like brian, prefer the ring or toolbox full of keys also…
if you are going to be at an elevator emergency for a known elevator stuck or whathaveyou, take the tools you “may” need.. I dont want to have to go back to the rig for the double drop key if it didnt make it into the 8 ribbed panels.
This type of set up may be a great addition to a FAST PAK or RIT bag (with your common elevator keys) when you are operating in an elevator equipped building….
Bottom line, if this works for you and the areas you serve, great….keep the tips coming!! Happy new years brothers!
It looks like this idea will work for a basic accident tool kit, ie: cable cutters, screw drivers, battery wrench etc. Thanks bro.
Myself and another firefighter in my station made one of these up last night. It takes up a lot less room in the high rise bag since the roll is much more managable than the big ring. Great idea coming up with this.
Happy new year to everyone and stay safe.
With many places doing more and more EMERGENCIES and less fire duty..this is a good idea to lighten the load going up the stairs..Not sure if the quartermaster wants this done with kneepads though???? lol
In response to Brian:
“Imagine the gasps of horror at the next stuck elevator when you unroll the kit to find two elevator keys, a broken pencil and a half eaten snickers bar tucked into those slots.”
I cannot believe you would make this unfair and ridiculous remark. It is an insult to firefighters everywhere. I mean, come on, can anyone name a single firefighter who would eat only half a Snickers bar?
I, too, wanted to comment on that senseless attack…
That is where checking your rig and all the tools on it before and after every shirt comes in then these mistakes would not happen.
Where is the best place to get a set of elevator keys? My department only has a few…
Fire hooks unlimited
with the set of elevator keys that we have on our rig, it seems that the keys dont always fit every elevator, for instance, in my first due we cover a major hospital in which the keys from our key ring dont open the elevator doors, theres another key that gets the job done, so just always keep in mind that the keys that you have work for the elevators, just another reason to always keep in mind of the little things!
Wow… It must hurt like hell to crawl on all those keys! 🙂
Quick question guys, where do you get the key for the firemans service feature on an elevator?
Thanks and stay safe.
Roy,
Ever the inovator, has this been patented yet? Im sure there is a video in the making if you know what I maen!
Question for everyone, what are your SOP/SOG on carrying personal equipment. In my department we have to get everything approved by our chief, from personal safety glasses to your own TNT tool. What are your guys thoughts???
Hey “Kid” my department says whatever works. If you wanna carry it rock on. We have all kinds of personal stuff in our pockets, a few of us carry our own hand tools…some even “firehouse designed”. Some of us have personal helmets and we just have to make sure they match the deparment issue stuff.
Our safety glasses….Oakleys brother…ANSI approved.
And a little tip for you, if one of those FIREHOUSE/FIRE RESCUE/FIRE ENGINEERING magazines if floating around the station, pick it up, and READ…don’t stare at the pictures, yeah they’re cool, but READ and LEARN.
Props to you for asking questions…one of the best ways to learn.
AND whatever you learn…good or bad…PASS IT ON.
AND when you experience a screw up…which you will…we all do…PASS IT ON.
ANYTHING, ANYTIME, ANYPLACE.
Brotherhood above all.
Stay safe.
Anyone know of a good elevator entry class in Cali?
We have had a pouch of elevator door keys available for over 5 years. Please visit elevatorkey.com. Stay safe. Thanks.