The head of a pike pole with various implements for pulling items.

The head of a short pike pole

Pike poles are long poles usually 6-10 feet in length used by firefighters to search for fires hidden behind the sheetrock in the walls and ceiling. Firefighters are rescuers extensively trained primarily to put out hazardous Fires that threaten civilian populations and property to rescue people from car accidents collapsed For the musical group "Drywall" see Drywall (musical project Drywall is a common manufactured Building material They are made out of fiberglass with metal hooks on the end, used to pull items from an area of intense heat and flame, and ventilating structures by breaking windows. Fiberglass (also called fibreglass and glass fibre see Spelling differences) is material made from extremely fine Fibers of Glass. In firefighting, ventilation refers to the tactic of creating a draft with an opening above or opposite the entry point so that heat and smoke will be released permitting In some jurisdictions, it is referred to as a ceiling hook, and is the 'hook' referred to in 'hook and ladder'.

The pole's original use in the fire service was to pull down walls and neighboring buildings to stop the spread of fire to exposures. The tool can also be used in salvage events in such things as constructing water chutes to displace water.

Pike Pole have other uses also for reaching and holding or pulling. They have been used in helping to lift the sides of a timber framed structure like a barn raising. it is used in lumbering to control logs while floating them on a river and for rescue work to grab people or objects floating by in a flood for instance.

External links

• NAFECO Firefighting Equipment