Forcible entry is the gaining of access to structures and vehicles when the normal means of access such as doors and windows are either locked, blocked, damaged or non-existent. Forcible entry techniques are important skills that all firefighters need to proficiently possess and when done properly it provides quick access during an emergency and results in minimal damage.

A common use of forcible entry is during motor vehicle accidents when hydraulic rescue tools are used to remove damaged doors that are inoperable. Acquiring junked vehicles to practice these skills on is easy enough however practicing forcible entry on locked residential and commercial doors is another matter.

Recently the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company, through the use of donated funds, purchased a training prop called the Power Jamb which was installed in an existing door at the Fire Company's drill tower. The Power Jamb is a device that simulates the action of forcing an inward or outward swinging door with a Halligan bar and prevents the door from being permanently damaged. The device utilizes a heavy spring-loaded mechanism that can be reset within seconds after each evolution.

Other skills practiced during this drill were removing lock cylinders on metal doors with a K-tool and manipulating the internal mechanisms to gain entry, forcing inward swinging doors with a portable Rabbit tool, and proper operation of the cut-off rotary saw.

The jaws of the K-tool are designed to slide behind a lock cylinder's ring and face and bite into the barrel.

The adze of a Halligan bar is then inserted into the K-tool and used to pry the cylinder from the door.

With the cylinder removed, Lieutenant Todd Myers manipulates the interior mechanism of the lock.

The door on this training prop has been successfully opened.

The adze on the Halligan bar is used when forcing inward swinging metal doors.

Tim Budlong springs the door as Andrew Albert prevents it from swinging completely open which could expose them to heat and smoke in a real fire.

Effective at forcing metal doors, the Rabbit tool is inserted between the door and the jamb.

The tool is powered by a hand pump and is capable of producing 8,000 pounds of force with a 4" spread.

Andrew Albert slices through a vehicle's roof with a cut-off saw equipped with a metal-cutting abrasive wheel.

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The jaws of the K-tool are designed to slide behind a lock cylinder's ring and face and bite into the barrel.

 

Photographs by Cliff Williams