By Raul A. Angulo

My favorite tool is the pickhead ax not only because it can cause major damage but because, along with the fire helmet, it's the most recognized iconic symbol of our profession. However, after 35 years on the job, whether I'm on an engine or a ladder company, if I had to choose between grabbing the ax or a D-handle pike pole, I'd choose the pike pole. I'm not saying this is the only tool we need, but I am saying if you're on an engine or a truck, someone on your crew should have a pike pole as part of the tool complement they're carrying in and here's the reason: In addition to the hoseline and the thermal imaging camera, the crew usually carries the irons (a halligan tool and a flathead ax), an A tool, or a pickhead ax. All these tools are fine and may even be necessary, but after forcible entry is made, they lack the reach that's provided by the pike pole. Once your crew is inside the structure, there are numerous scenarios that require extra reach that are difficult to accomplish with regular forcible entry tools.

(1) During a vertical ventilation operation, it is essential that the team has a pike pole of sufficient reach to punch through the ceiling below. Even during this drill on an acquired structure, the pike pole is too short to punch through the ceiling. Notice how the firefighter's face and torso are directly over the vent hole. His entire arm is reaching through the attic space to reach the ceiling. This is a very dangerous position. When hot fire gases and smoke flash during vertical ventilation, it happens with lightning speed. There would be no time for this firefighter to react. He would be engulfed in smoke, heat, and flame. Having a 12-foot pike pole would allow the firefighter to stand windward, away from the vent hole, and still accomplish the objective. (Photos by author.)

The pike pole is a simple design-it's just a pointed hook at the end of a stick-but it's uniquely versatile for the many tasks crews may have to perform on the fireground. Let's look at the general sequence of some realistic fire attack scenarios where the pike pole is invaluable. All references will imply using a D-handle pike pole.

Forcible Entry

First is access and forcible entry. Say you come across any variety of wooden fences. A pike pole can easily pull slats from the stringers or maybe even pull down an entire section of fence. I've done it. The D-handle can also be used to punch the slats away from the horizontal cross members, creating a passageway through the fence.

(2) Leader-North America's telescopic pike pole weighs six and a half pounds. Retracted, it measures seven feet, two inches. Fully extended, it measures 12 feet, three inches. It has a carbon steel head and insulates up to 20,000 volts of electricity, a comforting safety feature. The black center easy-twist mechanism locks the pike pole at the desired length.

A pike pole can be used to help pry and lift up a garage door or a roll-up door. It can also be used to wedge such a door in the up position, preventing it from accidentally closing on the entry team or compressing the charged hoseline. This situation has trapped and killed more than one firefighter. Once the door is opened and the hook is in place, consider placing a vise grip onto the track rail or even replace your hook with a small A-frame ladder to hold the door open so you still have your tool for firefighting activities. Consider the height adva

Bill Adams

This is the first in a series profiling individual fire apparatus dealers-the people who sell fire trucks. Although some apparatus are sold factory direct, the majority of sales are through an agent or a broker-an intermediary between purchaser and manufacturer. An agent can also be called a dealer, a dealership, or a sales representative. For the sake of simplicity, this article defines a dealer as an entity that customarily enters into a contractual agreement with a manufacturer to sell product in a given geographical territory. I define a dealership as a dealer who has a physical workplace-a place of business similar to a showroom or service facility. A sales representative, the person fire departments deal with on a face-to-face basis, can be a factory employee, a dealer's employee, or the dealer principal himself.

The intent is not to judge a dealer because of size, longevity, or capability. The objective here is to give the purchaser an understanding of who some fire apparatus dealers are, their business philosophies, and how they got where they are today.

(1) These four aerial devices are being "flown" behind Greenwood's Sales & Administration building for its 2012 open house. (Photos by author.)

Beginning

In the late 1970s, three friends in Southern Massachusetts-Mark France, a retired captain with the Attleboro (MA) Fire Department; Robert Allard, a mechanic with the same department; and Tim O'Neill-contemplated going into the automotive business together. Allard suggested a shop large enough to accommodate his expertise-repairing fire apparatus. They did and formed Greenwood Motors in 1979. Emergency One (E-ONE), based in Ocala, Florida, which had just started in 1974, was expanding its dealer network, and Greenwood signed on as E-ONE's New England dealer in May 1979. It has experienced steady, planned growth ever since. E-ONE's Web site shows Greenwood being its second oldest dealer-surpassed by one who signed on just three months earlier. Dealer longevity with a single fire apparatus manufacturer is an anomaly in today's marketplace.

I had the opportunity to interview Greenwood's principals at their sales and administration office and later observe their employees interacting with customers and vendors during their September 2012 open house. Commenting on Greenwood, Alan Hollister, E-ONE's northeast region sales director, says, "Greenwood is considered by E-ONE to be one of our premier dealers. A truly professional organization, their strength lies in a firm commitment to customer satisfaction and unmatched customer service." O'Neill is president and owner. Executive vice president is Dennis Carvalho, and Mark MacDonald is vice president of sales.

(2) The product mix at the 2012 open house included a mini pumper, a stainless steel bodied pumper, straight aerials, quints, a tower ladder, a heavy rescue, numerous extruded aluminum pumpers on both custom and commercial chassis, many styles of ambulances, and an aerial that was refurbished in Greenwood's shops.

Growth

In 1979, the business opened a sales and service facility in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, and the business incorporated as Greenwood Motors. A larger building followed in 1984, and the name changed to Greenwood Fire Apparatus. The company built a separate sales and administration