By John Pirro
The News-Times
DANBURY, Conn. — It rips through drywall, plaster and lathe, uncovering the fire source hidden behind a wall or above a ceiling. It can slip a lock, connect and disconnect the fire department’s largest hoses, open and close hydrants, gas and water mains and enable a single firefighter to move a bulky object that might otherwise require the efforts of two people.
The Ardis Tool, invented by a Long Island firefighter more than 30 years ago, had been long prized by the those fortunate enough to obtain one of 50 originals made before production ended, and coveted by their firefighting colleagues who saw the tools in use.
But now Charlie Payne, a Danbury fire lieutenant who lives in Newtown, has taken Alfred Ardis’ original design, and refined it into a kind of a Swiss Army knife for firefighters, a lightweight, go-anywhere tool that can perform myriad tasks, yet fits comfortably in the pockets of their turnout gear.