Here are more clever “TRICKS of the trade” developed and submitted by dedicated firefighters. Hopefully, one of them will help you and your department work better and more safely. None of the techniques described are intended to create an unsafe situation or change the way you operate. If you aren’t perfectly comfortable with a certain technique, don’t use it. Check with an officer if you’re not sure whether it will fit in your organization’s operations. Sincere thanks to all those in the fire service who developed and submitted these techniques-keep them coming!
Although basically a simple device, the hydrant can still cause problems, usually when you need it most. For a stuck or stiff bonnet or cap, a “cheater bar” helps in opening up a reluctant hydrant. It’s a two- or three-foot length of pipe with an inner diameter large enough to allow it to be slipped over the end of the hydrant wrench (photo 1) to provide the necessary added leverage. Never stand on a wrench or cheater bar to attempt to open a stuck cap-you can easily get injured. Remember to exercise care when using this pipe, since the hydrant wrench may not be up to the task and may fail without warning.
A stuck hydrant cap can also usually be loosened with several taps from a flathead ax or other striking tool. Tap the cap on its end a few times, then strike each side of the stuck cap a few times. This will usually break the cap free. As always, wear personal protective equipment (PPE)-especially eye and hand protection-for this operation.
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