Gas-powered chainsaws are used to ventilate buildings to allow smoke to escape faster. The saws are, essentially, the same types of saws available to the public.

The key difference is the carbide-tipped blade. Unlike common blades used to cut trees, these special blades can slice through roofs made of a variety of building materials.

The circular saw compliments the standard chainsaw and is used to cut through metal and concrete.

Positive pressure fans are also used for ventilation and are located in compartments on all the fire trucks. They blow smoke from structures and are typically placed at the entrances.

Some fans are powered by gas, others by electricity.

Fires aren't always easy to see, so firefighters employ other tools to locate flames. One is a relatively simple tool, while the other is a highly sophisticated piece of electronic hardware.

The more simplistic of the two tools is the pike, a long tool, measuring six to 10 feet, with a tipped point and hook used to tear down ceilings to expose fire so it can be extinguished.

In contrast, the thermal imaging camera is designed to search for fire behind walls. The camera sees through smoke and walls to detect sources of heat.

Besides fire, heat sources include people or pets who may be trapped within burning buildings. The view screen creates an image through the wall or smoke that allows firefighters to see inside.

Victims aren't always trapped inside burning buildings.

The tools are hydraulically powered. One tool is used to force open metal, such as car doors or roofs, while another chops through metal.

A hydraulic ram is used to provide leverage to force dashboards or other obstacles out of the way so firefighters can extract victims from vehicles or other areas.