Master Your Halligan | Forcible Entry Basics

Master your tool! The Halligan and Axe, also called the Irons, are your most basic tools for forcible entry in the fire service. Become and expert in their use, become and expert in your craft!

Today we are going over some basics of the Halligan bar and how to use it to force a door using the Gap Set Force method.

I misspeak a few times, I am not great in front of camera. So go confirm everything I say, I very well could be an idiot.

We demonstrate a few different one and two firefighter methods for forcing inwards and outward swinging doors. We also demonstrate adding a NY Hook or pry bar for additional leverage. A simple hinge and door knob attack with the forks is shown and finally attacking a pad lock on a chain.

The views and opinions in this video are in no way associated with any fire department or government entity.

00:00 Intro to Irons
01:00 Simple Machines
02:30 Terrible explanation of mechanical advantage
03:45 Ideal Machines
04:30 A flexible bar will STORE energy instead of transfer it.
04:50 Door Size-up
06:55 Gap Set Force
09:15 Set Position
10:10 Fork Attack
11:30 Inward Swinging Door
12:30 Change your lever. Maximize mechanical advantage!
15:30 Partner Communication
16:45 1FF Methods
17:05 Use your WHOLE lever, HAND position matters!
18:10 Inward 1FF w/ Jam
20:35 Adding NY Hook or Pry Bar for leverage
21:30 1FF Axe Wedge/Gap
22:10 Hinges & Knobs Flying off
22:50 Padlock on Chain Attack