Thats what makes this place great , different views, different suggestions.
I know UK and NA equipment is very different but I know for a fact I cannot operate a spyderco with our gloves . One of the brother from my hall went to the UK on exchange for a year and ended up staying. He loved the fact that you didn't run medicals and there was a pub in the station , plus he did meet a lady
Of duty any of my folders can be used without a problem in emergency situations. As with any profession you have extemes, I carry a $400 dollar Strider sometimes while other guys don't carry a knife at all. I all comes down to what you want.
As for our other equipment being good enough to do the job,,, well axes and haligans do wonders when you have room to swing them , top of a rooming house stairway is kind of tight

. For an entrapment you might be without your tools so you have to rely on what you have in your pockets, you could be upside down on your face, or back. Knowing you tools and their limitations is every Firefighters job.
Alot of tools are great , from using them you will find faults with some . I for one will never carry a spring loaded tool .We have a spring loaded punch as part of our glassmaster saw on our truck. Our shift has found it 5-6 times to be broken, or apart, or the springs have rusted. I go with the KISS mentality, same as folders, in an emergency with loss of fine motor skills and with gloves on I will grab for a fixed blade , but that is me .You may have another idea.
I will be great to hear what other brothers use and think .
James