Fire Hooks Unlimited is the leading manufacturer of fire hooks, fire tools and fire equipment. The owner, Bob Farrell, has had an historic career with the New York City Fire Department and has been one of the most valuable and influential fire equipment manufacturers for nearly three decades.
Bob served in the US Navy for 5 years. After receiving an Honorary Discharge, he joined the FDNY as a probie firefighter and was assigned to Ladder Company 4 in Manhattan.
Even during his early years, Bob was innovative as you would agree after heard one of Bob’s favorite stories… As a young firefighter in Manhattan’s Ladder Company 4, Bob took an FDNY-owned “Halligan Bar” and cut an “A” into the Adz to better attack lock cylinders. Once discovered by an unimpressed boss, the Captain of Ladder 4 directed Bob to immediately replace the Halligan Bar at his own expense. So Bob made the trip into the Bronx, to the home of Chief Hugh Halligan, the inventor of the “Halligan Bar”. Bob explained what had happened to Chief Halligan. The Chief went into his closet, pulled a Halligan Bar out, and sold it to Bob. Chief Halligan, seemingly feeling bad for “the new guy”, took a few dollars off of the price.
Captain Farrell’s tenure at Engine 82 / Ladder 31 was considered the “The War Years” (1960’s-1970’s) and was arguably the busiest firehouse in the world! The conditions in the Bronx during these times were conditions similar to war zones. Companies would respond to fire after fire, most times non-stop. And Bob was in the thick of the action for many years.
Conditions during Bob’s service were so severe and incredible that in 1972 a movie documentary called Man Alive: The Bronx is Burning was made, in which Bob can be seen. Also in 1972, a book was published called Report from Engine Co. 82, a non-fictional account of life in the South Bronx firehouse—the world’s busiest—in which Bob served with the author.
Throughout Bob’s historic career, he was awarded nineteen decorations and awards for bravery. Most notably, the Captain was awarded FDNY’s highest medal for bravery – the James Gordon Bennett medal – in 1966. Bob also received two Class 1 Medals, comparable to the military’s Medal of Honor and one of the highest awards for bravery that is presented by the FDNY.
Bob retired as an acting-Battalion Chief. His last assignment was covering the 6th Division in the Bronx.
Throughout his career, Bobs regard for his men’s safety carried over into the private sector designing and manufacturing fire hooks and fire tools. For nearly three decades, Bob has set the standard for excellence throughout the US in producing high quality products including the Pro-Bar, NY Roof Hook and Hydra Ram.
Choose from fire hooks, forcible entry tools, Halligan bars, sledge hammers, mauls, pike poles, axes, pry tools, breaking tools, wall breaching tools, battering rams, power saws and blades, and more. These Fire Hooks Unlimited fire tools are not only useful for firefighters, but also police tactical, military, industrial, public works, construction and many other fields
I just wanted to let All Hands Fire know how impressed I am with both your customer service.”
