Improving ventilation, controlling heat and accessing trapped victims mean fire departments carry around two types of saws: a circular saw and a chainsaw. For these operations, the tools must be sharp enough to cut through dense materials and metals, including roofs and vehicle doors, or quickly clear brush and vegetation.

If you're replacing or upgrading your department's equipment, learn more about these tools and what Fire Safety USA offers.

About Fire Rescue Saws

Structural and wildland firefighters, search and rescue teams and emergency responders deploy a saw to perform the following types of maneuvers:

• Ventilation, including cutting holes in roofs and walls.
• Forcible entry and rescue when the victims are trapped or not otherwise accessible.
• Removing fire lines and cutting down trees.
• Entering less-accessible structures.
• Clearing fallen trees and debris following a storm.
• Securing a less-stable structure.

Selecting a Fire Department Saw

Although standard chainsaws suit select ventilation and rescue tasks, fire department-specific saws are built to accommodate gloved hands and include depth gauges and bars for more accurate cuts. Departments typically choose their saws based on:

• The materials with which they come in contact: Cutting timber, for example, requires a more powerful engine than improving ventilation.
• Operation: Fire department chainsaws have traditionally used gasoline, but a growing number of models now use battery power.
• Maintenance: Two-cycle chainsaw engines require oil for lubrication. Additionally, contact with hard surfaces, including rocks and sand, quickly dulls the blade. Sharpening and blade replacements preserve the saw's performance for your operations.

Order a Fire Department Saw From Fire Safety USA

Whether for releasing heat and vapors, controlling natural hazards or freeing vehicle occupants, Fire Safety USA has a chainsaw or circular saw that supports your mission. Browse all models now before placing an order online, through our call center or via our direct fax line.