Saturday, October 4, 2025

Action Figure Review: Firefighter (Search & Rescue) from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   Looking for today's 31 Days of Toy Terror post for October 2025? Just look below this one! I've still got to mix some regular toy reviews in with the spooky stuff!

   Hasbro has done some interesting stuff with the Legacy Collection subset of the G.I. Joe: Classified Series. The first four deluxe figures covered specific troop specialties of the original four vintage 12 inch G.I. Joe types (Action Soldier, Action Sailor, Action Pilot, and Action Marine) but now we're getting some offshoots with the upcoming Emergency Services Unit Police Officer (which seems to now be shipping) and today's subject: The Search & Rescue Firefighter. The first four figures in this subset were pretty cool because they could function as troop builders, new characters, or accessory packs for the line. These two figures have some different uses, though, as I'm sure a number of 1/12th scale collectors will want police officers and firefighters for their collections and displays. G.I. Joe has had a long history of including a variety of first responders in the 12 inch line and this seems to fit in well. It's also a great way to create some new tooling, reuse previous tooling, and give the Joes some help. Barbecue can't fight all the fires on his own, can he? Hasbro gave this figure the specific designation of a Search & Rescue firefighter, meaning these are the folks who head into dangerous situations to locate those in need (search) and get them out (rescue). Burning buildings, car accidents, amusement park mishaps; where ever there's trouble these professionals will be there to get you out. A hearty Yo Joe to all of the firefighters out there! Let's check out the Search & Rescue Firefighter after the break...


The Facts:

Height: 6 1/2 inches

Articulation: Swivel/ hinge ankles, boot swivels, double hinged knees, swivel thighs, ball jointed drop down hips, ball jointed waist, balljointed mid-torso, butterfly pecs, swivel/hinge shoulders, bicep swivels, double hinged elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, ball jointed neck base, and a barbell jointed head.

Accessories: 2 Swappable portraits, goggles, helmet, oxygen mask, oxygen hose, oxygen tank, emergency blanket, 2 hand axes, large axe, sledgehammer, mallet, Halligan bar, and Jaws of Life.

Non-Scalper Price: $35 dollars.




The Positives:


* I was absolutely shocked when someone pointed out to me that the Search & Rescue Firefighter reuses Snow Job's body. This looks incredibly accurate to the padded protective gear that you'd expect a firefighter to wear but it is indeed a reuse of Snow Job's cold weather gear with a new harness for toting around the oxygen tank. That's brilliant reuse! While he's mostly wearing black, the yellow and silver reflective trim are eye-catching and really make this guy standout. He's instantly recognizable as a firefighter. 
* The Legacy Collection line has included two portraits for each figure, allowing you to mix things up. Both portraits have the firefighters wearing hoods to protect their heads and hair with only the face visible. The first portrait features a lighter skinned firefighter who appears to be of Asian descent. It's a strong portrait that's specific enough to be interesting but generic enough to not standout if you're wanting to build a full team of firefighters. Of course, you could probably utilize other heads to mix up the team, too.





* The second portrait is a darker skinned guy who looks like he's got some experience. He definitely doesn't come off as a rookie, does he? The paintwork is excellent here. It's impressive how much character and detail Hasbro can put into a figure that isn't based on a previously existing named character. I wonder if the portraits on these guys are based on folks at Hasbro or people the Joe team knows? The vintage line did that quite frequently. 





* The helmet fits snugly on the head, so you'll have to pop off the figure's head to get it on here. It straps on and really completes the look. With multiple yellow paint applications on the sides, a bronze crest on top, and a plate reading 609, presumably the department number, I guess? Anyone know of any significance for this?









* A pair of goggles with clear lenses is also included. They fit on either portrait really well and can be layered under the helmet for more protection. You gotta protect your eyes!










* The air mask also fits like a charm. It's a full face mask with a wide lens (which does make the figure's face look a bit funny in pictures) and a separate oxygen hose that connects to the mask and the oxygen valve on the backpack straps. It also fits under the fire helmet and looks really solid, though it takes a but of adjusting it to get it just right.









* It's a small detail but the presence of the oxygen gauge on the left strap and the connection point for the oxygen mask on the right strap are pretty neat details. 


* The oxygen tank is pretty impressive, too. It's bright yellow with some stamped lettering on it ("Breathable Air/ 300 Bar/4350 psi"). It's a vital tool for a search & rescue firefighter and it stays on the harness securely. I wonder if we'll see this reused with anyone. Airtight, maybe?









* The Classified Series always has impressive articulation and while the firefighter's outfit does make him a bit bulkier, he can still move quite well. He interacts really nicely with all of his gear, too. This guy looks great when he's all kitted out with a ton of stuff and posed ready for rescuing. 







* Does the firefighter's hydraulic rescue tool (the Jaws of Life) look familiar? That's because it was originally included with Ripper. It's a sizeable accessory and the reuse makes perfect sense here. While Ripper uses them for destruction, the search & rescue team uses them to save lives. Hurst, the company who makes the jaws of life, isn't far from me, so it's pretty cool to see these in figure form. It looks a lot like the real tool though with a cool orange and black paintjob, like Black & Decker.





* The jaws open and close in unison and the handle does swivel, allowing you to really pose your firefighter using them to save the day. Having these makes me want more power tools in the Classified Series!








* The firefighter comes with three axes, one regular sized axe and two hand axes. They aren't the same as Barbecue's axes, either; they're all new pieces. Axes are one of the most common tools you see firefighters use so their inclusion is welcome. I'm not sure why two hand axes were included but I'm assuming it's so your Joe can go at it double fisted. Breaking doors, windows, and walls, creating holes for ventilation, or breaking up trees and such for fire lines; there are lots of uses to be had here. 





* Two hammers are also included: A sledgehammer and a short handled mallet. It's nice to have some options and Hasbro has delivered here. I'm assuming the mallets are useful for work in smaller spaces. The sledgehammer has already been included with the Retro Series Covergirl and I'm guessing we'll see it reused with Tollbooth in the future. I hope so, anyways. I think he could be a cool figure on his own as a combat engineer. 






* The emergency rescue blanket might be one of the most unique accessories we've seen in the Classified Series as it's a large fabric square with a reflective side. It really does remind me of an emergency blanket when you feel it. What a cool addition! I collected 12 inch Joes just a bit in the 90s and early 2000s and always liked the more unusual accessories like shaving kits, life vests, and maps and such. This is a cool throwback to some of the more practical gear those figures often included.


* Last up is a Halligan tool or Halligan bar, a tool designed by Hugh Halligan, the first Deputy Chief of the New York Fire Department. This thing has dozens of uses and while it's slender without any paint details, it does look like the real deal. If you don't use it with your firefighter, I'm sure some of your other Joes like Beach Head or Shockwave could find uses for it. 





The Negatives:



* My only complaint with the Search & Rescue Firefighter is that some of the weapons are rather thin and the figure's grip holds them rather loosely. A set of tighter grips would definitely have been a nice inclusion with the set.







   "Deluxe" figures sometimes feel like a scam these days, especially from Hasbro. The Marvel Legends Maximum Series releases and most deluxe Star Wars figures definitely don't feel like you're getting your moneys worth. But with the Legacy Collection subset of the Classified Series? It really does feel like you're getting a solid figure and an accessory pack in one. I'm certainly not going to say that action figures are reasonably priced these days, but compared to everything else on the market? You're getting a lot here and it's quality stuff. This is a really cool figure that's pretty unqiue in the Classified Series. He's an Epic figure and just a lot of fun to mess around with and pose. 



Looking for more G.I. Joe: Classified Series figures? Then check out the following:






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