I was always taught that the irons (aka married set) were supposed to be carried by one person and that everyone else still needed to carry their own tool.

This is also my belief, and common practice. However, I see (a lot of) people splitting up the set, carrying the set between two people OR only carrying one or the other. My questions are these:

1) Does your FD have a standard for carrying the irons?
2) If carried together, what are the PROS and CONS?
3) If carried apart, what are the PROS and CONS?
4) Does your FD have a different “standard” forcible entry tool setup instead of the irons?

To answer my own questions… my FD has riding assignments that specify who carries the irons.

For a 4-firefighter Engine Company, the Backup Firefighter carries the irons, the Officer brings a hook and the Nozzle FF brings the line.

For a 3-firefighter Engine Company where NO line is stretched, the Nozzle Firefighter carries the irons and a can and the Officer carries a hook. If a line is stretched, the Nozzle FF brings the line and the Officer has the option of carrying the irons, carrying the hook irons (6′ hook and Halligan) or any one part of those sets depending on occupancy type and construction.

Our Truck is always staffed with four firefighters and the Irons Firefighter (w/ a can) sits behind the Officer. Our other standard positions are the Officer with a Hook, Outside Vent FF with the hook irons (and a ladder) and the Driver equips as needed.

We train on carrying the irons together because of limited manpower and to maintain a universal compliment of tools on the interior. We have a lot of subleased housing with “rooms ” for rent inside existing apartments and houses. These doors, though inside of house/apt are fortified as well, if not more so, than the front door. We also train on using the irons with one firefighter. Carrying a tool in each hand also gives the Irons FF more reach during searches (see picture).

That’s my two cents… I’d love to hear yours, please feel free to share.

Thanks and Be SAFE!