What is the main purpose of the Halligan bar?

The Halligan bar is primarily designed for forcing entry and prying. It is a versatile hand tool that combines elements of a wedge, pick, and pry bar, making it effective for various tasks related to fire and emergency response. When faced with locked doors or barriers, firefighters can use the pointed end of the Halligan bar to pierce through surfaces, while the forked end can be leveraged to pry doors open. This functionality is essential during emergencies when time is of the essence, and getting inside a structure quickly can be crucial for saving lives and property.

Other options, while related to the firefighting context, do not accurately capture the primary utility of the Halligan bar. For instance, although training models and communication tools are important in a fire service context, they do not pertain to the specific purpose of this tool. Opening fire hydrants is also a critical task for firefighters, but it requires different equipment and techniques rather than the Halligan bar.