Â
Saw maintenance is very important. You need to take care of your saw in order for it to take care of you! (Corny but true) I’m big believer in starting the saws each day, and really taking a good look at it: (chain or belt tension, blade condition and tightness, condition of pull cord, fuel level etc) are just a few things that should be observed. This picture is how a saw was turned over to me at shift change once. Obviously the chain is way loose, and it looks like they cut through a candy bar or something. Check your saw after each use, store it with the switch in the ON position, top off the fuel, take some pride in your equipment! Clean blades tend to cut better.
I know we have been slacking on updating the articles section; we’ll probably get it going after the first of the year… We will also include an article on saw maintenance, and its importance. –Jimm-
I agree 100%, a well maintained saw is a valuable tool on the fire ground. When in good condition it allows us to vent quicker, which gets to heat and gases out faster and improves the interior conditions for our brothers and sisters to better do the task at hand. I do have a question, I like to start my saw on the ground and apply the break before I take it to the roof. I don’t like to get it up there and find out for what ever reason, that it won’t start. I also don’t like to start them on a pitched roof,even though I’m on a roof ladder. I just think it is unsafe. Any thoughts on this? Thanks
Probably the most effective way to begin a vent operation is to do just what 52capt. said.
Start the saw on the ground and get it running good. Set the chain brake and LEAVE THE SAW RUNNING.
Once on the roof disengage the blade and away you go!
I have seen many a firefighter drop a saw trying to sart it on the roof. Todays large saws have a lot of compression that requires a good stiff pull. This can be difficult (not to mention dangerous) from a kneeling position on a roof ladder.
I totally agree!!! Starting a saw on the roof is not a safe idea.
Gents,
First, I must extend a token of my personal appreciation towards our fellow brother for taking the time to keep this site interesting for us all – “Kudos Jimmyâ€. Secondly, I would like to convey my gratitude to each and every one of you who take the time to participate in VentEnterSearch.Com. Thanks, for your support!
Now, let’s get back to the subject in mention. Saws; Indeed they’re one of our most invaluable tools within the fire service. Throughout the years, I’ve attentively noticed the evolution of the power saw amongst our profession. Nowadays, they’re becoming more powerful, faster, and lighter than previous decades; however, require more constant preventative maintenance than before. So, a keen eye and passion for maintaining your equipment should never be neglected, especially your power saws – Truckies.
Saw operations require consistent safety practices and an array of proficiency skills. But, these skills of mastery only begin with a strong, preventative care regiment. After all, “A once of prevention, is worth a pound of cureâ€.
Stay safe my fellow brethren and utilize what experience has taught you.
Darrell
When I read your posting, another article came to mind, and I thought I would share it here. It is a little long but well worth the read…
This is taken from “Pride and Ownership: The Love for the Job” by Rick Lasky.
Pride doesn’t just happen. Pride takes work. It requires ownership. I received my first true lesson in pride and ownership about 20 years ago. We were working a fire in an old school building. We were on the second floor chasing fire in the void spaces, cutting floor away and opening walls. I began to notice a crew across the room trying to get their saw started. This went on for a while. A couple of them put their axes down to help try to start it, forgetting that their axes will always do the one thing their saw won’t… start. But while this was going on, another company officer named Tom Shervino, looked at his Chief and said “let me go get my saw Chief”. Tommy said it again and was told to wait a minute longer. But Tommy persisted and finally the Chief gave in and said “Go get your saw” So off Tom went and soon retrurned with his saw. One pull and it started and off he was cutting. A short time later he stopped, went into the hallway, refueled his saw and was back cutting.
He knew when his saw was going to run out of fuel before it did. He knew how to start it. He knew everything about it because it was HIS SAW. The other crew never did get their saw started.
I first thought how arrogant, “my saw”! Later, I asked Tom what he meant by him saying “my saw”. He looked at me a bit confused and said “Thats not my saw. Thats Oak Lawn’s saw. But it’s my saw today and thats my Squad. Thats MY company.” They werent his personal items, but he ownded that that day, on his shift. Then it hit me. This guy was proud of his department, proud of his company, proud of his tools and with this pride came OWNERSHIP. Some people have written pride is a bad thing. Im not talking about pride associated with arrogance and creates problems. Im talking about feeling you get with a job well done or that you get when you talk about your department. That pride is a good thing.
~~
Hope you enjoyed… Take pride in your tools.. Take Ownership…. Stay safe.
I don’t do this often but I had to respond. First let me say so far I like the site but have not had time to see everything as this is my first time visiting the site. I couldn’t agree more with you on maintaining equipment so it’s 100% when we need it. But I have to disagree with some of the comments on starting the saw. First, there should be no concern about the saw not starting on the roof because it should be started on the ground before going to the roof (Cold Start). As to leaving the saw running with the brake on, this is an acceptible practice, but it can be shut off and restarted on the roof (Warm Start). I have vented many roofs and have had no problem warm-starting the saw on the roof. Today’s saws are stronger and have more compression, but many of the newer saws have a decompression button on them to ease starting (especially on the roof). To keep the saw secure on the roof while starting, I place my outside knee on the top of the trigger handle. I train students on a 6:12 pitch vent prop and have had no problems using this procedure.
Excellent topic w/ excellent responses! Thanks for the inspiration for thoughts and inputs. Different ways and rebuttals for achieving the same task. I love having the extra tools for my bag. No two situations are exactly the same and may require adjustment to complete the task successfully. Our STIHL saws have the following: chain brakes, decompression buttons and trigger throttle releases (located on the top of the trigger handle and must be compressed when gripping the trigger handle or else the trigger throttle remains locked). I agree 100% on maintaining our tools at a superior level but let’s not forget the most important tools of all…our brains and attitudes! They are the hardest to maintain and require constant reflection. No one teaching solves everything, but that one may also solve many issues. Continue teaching and value all!
I also think that starting the saw on the ground is the safest way to doit. i love this site and i go on it often the guys at the station and my self have adopted a couple of things from here.
great job.
Just a reminder some saws the chain brake connot be left on for any lengh of time. We learned this the hard way with our brand new Stihl. With the brake on for an extendender period of time say from the ground while climbing a ladder the brake will actually over heat and seize the motor. So my opinion is start the saw on the ground to warm up, then shut it off and climb followed by the restart on the roof.
Why would you store the saw with the switch in the “ON” position. I regularly do our saw maintenance, and have never heard that. But if for some reason it works/benfits better. Then Im all for it.
I am a huge advocate of storing the saw with the switch in ON position for one main reason: To make it fireman proof! My reasoning is this: If in the heat of the moment (on scene of a big job of course) someone tries to start the saw in the OFF position what happens? Right, the saw wont start, what else happens? The saw floods. It seems silly, but its one less thing someone has to remember when they’re all amped up. On a related note, most new saws come with a momentary ON/OFF switch making this a non-issue. Just a few thoughts on the issue. -Jimm-
In addition to the start switch “ON”, consider storing saws with the decompression switch set and the choke engaged… Then all ya gotta remember to do at 2 a.m. is pull the stupid cord! I’ve heard pro’s and con’s to this practice, but I’m still for it. Be safe Brothers.
I store all my power equipment in the on position(saws, fans, hydraulic power unit etc.) Choke, decompression, whatever the particular tool needs so it’s ready to go by just pulling the cord. This is one less step required when it’s time to go to work.
Curious to hear the cons to doing this?