BY ROBERT S. DUFFY
The Quick Step Anchor® (QSA) is a device designed to safely speed up vertical ventilation operations by providing firefighters with a sturdy platform that works in place of a pickhead ax, a trash hook, or a halligan, which are used as footholds for today's truckies. These procedures require a dedicated firefighter simply to hold the ax, trash hook, or halligan to stabilize the footing and ensure that the tool doesn't come out of the roof. And, with today's issues with reduced staffing, that member may not even be there! The QSA also eliminates the need to stop and then reposition the roof ladder to complete a roof cut; an awkward, time-consuming, and potentially dangerous procedure.
Performing vertical ventilation operations in this manner is very dangerous; it does not provide a solid, confident foothold for the firefighter performing the procedure. The QSA frees up the firefighter who was previously dedicated to securing the ax or halligan and provides a secure and stable platform for the truckie performing the operation. The QSA is especially useful on roofs covered in ice or frost on a very low angle where you would need footing assistance. With the QSA, you will be able to operate with no problem in these hazardous conditions.
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