S-130 Wildland Hand Tools Exam
Questions and Answers
Fire Swatter ANSWERS Fire-suppression tool consisting of a flap of belting fabric
fastened to a long handle used in direct attack for beating out flames along a fire edge.
You use fire swatters, sometimes called flappers, to smother fires in light fuels such as:
- Pasture grasses
- Pine-needle litter
- Light hardwood litter
It's most effective to use a flail in conjunction with a backpack pump or fire rake. Use
flails to knock down the flames, and then mop up the fire with water from your backpack
pump or by scraping it with the fire rake.
When you use the fire swatter, drag the flap along the edge of a fire. Be careful not to
hit the fire too hard or you may scatter burning embers into the unburned area and
spread the fire.
Safely Carrying Hand Tools ANSWERS For safety while carrying hand tools:
- Do not run with hand tools
- Walk and work 10 feet (3 m) apart from other firefighters
- Hold the tool at its balance point
- Keep the tool at your side and close to your body, not on your shoulder
- Position the cutting edges away from your body
- Situate the tool on the downhill side when walking across a slope
- Pass other workers by signaling and waiting for the right-of-way
- Transfer the tool handle first when passing the tool to others
Safely Using Hand Tools ANSWERS For safety while using hand tools:
- Keep your eyes on what is being cut
- Wear safety glasses at all times
- Use the proper grip and stance
- Use short strokes
- Watch your cutting angle and path of the tool head
- Store tools safely when not in use
Axes ANSWERS Axes are effective in mop-up operations for felling snags,
chopping stumps and logs, and driving wedges (single-bit axes only).
, Axe handles are made of wood or fiberglass. Two common types of axes used in
wildland fire fighting are:
- Single-bit: Has a cutting edge on one side of the head and a flat, striking surface on
the opposite side.
- Double-bit: Has cutting edges on both sides of the head.
Whether it's a single-bit or double-bit, swing the axe in a downward motion at a 45-
degree angle.
Sharpening Axes ANSWERS 1. Sharpen the cutting edges with the proper tool,
such as a 12-inch flat mill bastard file. Grind or file the edges on an even taper about 2
1/2 inches (65 mm) back from the cutting edge. Make sure you have an even bevel on
each side.
2. Ensure the cutting edge is in direct line with the handle.
Pulaskis ANSWERS Pulaskis are effective when cutting firelines and in mop-up
operations.
These tools are dual-purpose tools with two different types of bits on the head:
- One side is a cutting edge similar to an ax blade for chopping stumps and logs.
- The other edge, called the grubbing edge, is used to dig out roots and cut trenches.
Sharpening a Pulaski ANSWERS 1. Taper the cutting edge 2 inches (50 mm)
wide with an even bevel on each side
2. Bevel the grubbing edge 3/8- inch (10 mm) wide straight across on a 45-degree angle
on one side of the head only
Brush Hook ANSWERS Use a brush hook, sometimes called a brush ax, to cut
down:
- Small shrubs
- Small trees
- Tall grasses
The brush hook handle is very similar to a standard ax, and you'll swing it like an ax
when you're cutting. However, unlike an ax, the head of the brush hook is in the shape
of a J.
Sharpening a Brush Hook ANSWERS A sharpened cutting edge is on the inside
of the head. While there are a number of different designs available, sharpen all the
cutting edge from 1 inch (25.4 mm) at the base to 3/4 inch (19 mm) at the tip.
Sandvik ANSWERS Also called a Swedish brush ax because of its replaceable
Swedish steel cutting blade, you can use the Sandvik to cut small- and medium-sized
brush and saplings.
Questions and Answers
Fire Swatter ANSWERS Fire-suppression tool consisting of a flap of belting fabric
fastened to a long handle used in direct attack for beating out flames along a fire edge.
You use fire swatters, sometimes called flappers, to smother fires in light fuels such as:
- Pasture grasses
- Pine-needle litter
- Light hardwood litter
It's most effective to use a flail in conjunction with a backpack pump or fire rake. Use
flails to knock down the flames, and then mop up the fire with water from your backpack
pump or by scraping it with the fire rake.
When you use the fire swatter, drag the flap along the edge of a fire. Be careful not to
hit the fire too hard or you may scatter burning embers into the unburned area and
spread the fire.
Safely Carrying Hand Tools ANSWERS For safety while carrying hand tools:
- Do not run with hand tools
- Walk and work 10 feet (3 m) apart from other firefighters
- Hold the tool at its balance point
- Keep the tool at your side and close to your body, not on your shoulder
- Position the cutting edges away from your body
- Situate the tool on the downhill side when walking across a slope
- Pass other workers by signaling and waiting for the right-of-way
- Transfer the tool handle first when passing the tool to others
Safely Using Hand Tools ANSWERS For safety while using hand tools:
- Keep your eyes on what is being cut
- Wear safety glasses at all times
- Use the proper grip and stance
- Use short strokes
- Watch your cutting angle and path of the tool head
- Store tools safely when not in use
Axes ANSWERS Axes are effective in mop-up operations for felling snags,
chopping stumps and logs, and driving wedges (single-bit axes only).
, Axe handles are made of wood or fiberglass. Two common types of axes used in
wildland fire fighting are:
- Single-bit: Has a cutting edge on one side of the head and a flat, striking surface on
the opposite side.
- Double-bit: Has cutting edges on both sides of the head.
Whether it's a single-bit or double-bit, swing the axe in a downward motion at a 45-
degree angle.
Sharpening Axes ANSWERS 1. Sharpen the cutting edges with the proper tool,
such as a 12-inch flat mill bastard file. Grind or file the edges on an even taper about 2
1/2 inches (65 mm) back from the cutting edge. Make sure you have an even bevel on
each side.
2. Ensure the cutting edge is in direct line with the handle.
Pulaskis ANSWERS Pulaskis are effective when cutting firelines and in mop-up
operations.
These tools are dual-purpose tools with two different types of bits on the head:
- One side is a cutting edge similar to an ax blade for chopping stumps and logs.
- The other edge, called the grubbing edge, is used to dig out roots and cut trenches.
Sharpening a Pulaski ANSWERS 1. Taper the cutting edge 2 inches (50 mm)
wide with an even bevel on each side
2. Bevel the grubbing edge 3/8- inch (10 mm) wide straight across on a 45-degree angle
on one side of the head only
Brush Hook ANSWERS Use a brush hook, sometimes called a brush ax, to cut
down:
- Small shrubs
- Small trees
- Tall grasses
The brush hook handle is very similar to a standard ax, and you'll swing it like an ax
when you're cutting. However, unlike an ax, the head of the brush hook is in the shape
of a J.
Sharpening a Brush Hook ANSWERS A sharpened cutting edge is on the inside
of the head. While there are a number of different designs available, sharpen all the
cutting edge from 1 inch (25.4 mm) at the base to 3/4 inch (19 mm) at the tip.
Sandvik ANSWERS Also called a Swedish brush ax because of its replaceable
Swedish steel cutting blade, you can use the Sandvik to cut small- and medium-sized
brush and saplings.
