You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
PLEASE NOTE: Do NOT use an optonline.net email address when you register, as you will not receive your activation email. Why? Because CABLEVISION AND THE DOLANS SUCK.
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us.
Best regards, Rant Boss.
We're discussing Truck Co Ladder Throwing Expectations
i agree with the previous statements, every truckie should be able to put up a 35ft on their own....when i went throughin-house training, our instructors made us all learn how to do it
I have to disagree with throwing a 35' alone, That ladder is not a light tool. What about the injury factor? What if someones tries to put it up and hurts themselves while there are 5-10 members on the front lawn or blocking the stairwell. What happens if the ff losses his/her grip? Do you think they will be able to catch it and just throw it to the window/roof? Just have atleast 3 ff's "throwing it"
I believe one factor of not being able to throw the 35' alone is the fact that not everyone in the vollies is physically fit. We know it and we have to live with it, now maybe those guys cant accomplish some of the tasks that a well-fit FF can accomplish such as throwing a 35' ladder.
trk6912... u mention at least 3 guys throwing it all costs? u really need "at least 3", are u going to take away ur Roof and Chauff from their own tasks (if the roof man isnt already paired up with the OVM) and help the OVM throw that 35 footer. I really dont think you should EVER need more then 2 guys throwing that 35' ladder.
And you also throw out a scenario where there are 5-10 members on the front lawn, i understand what your saying but thats when you grab one of them and ask them for assistance as they will know its not easy.
I believe if you are physically capable of doing it, learn how to do it the right way in a safe & quick way, because it could be someones life someday and it will come down to whether or not your able to do it.
I am not saying that throwing a 35' ladder is the best way all the time, but it should be something you can handle if needed to be. For example if you need to throw a 35' to get to a unlocked window of a woman's apt who is locked out, than I would def have someone give you a hand, no need to bust your ass by yourself while everyone looks on.
In our dept, if the stick isnt being used, the chauff is going to work then you have another person helping and if your throwing it to the roof, the roof team will be putting it up, Hopefully your not sending one guy to the roof. So therefore you have more than enough people setting up the ladder. If your putting it to a window for a lock out, there will be more than enough people standing around, unless you roll with a driver only?
At work(not FDNY) Yes. The vollie house...some of the members a 35 might be abit much. We have no truck co and mostly two and half frames. One eng has a 35,one a 24 and the newest(and first out) has a 28/16R. We figured it was a good split. The 28 hits most of the roofs of anything we have and MOST members can handle it solo.
At work(not FDNY) Yes. The vollie house...some of the members a 35 might be abit much. We have no truck co and mostly two and half frames. One eng has a 35,one a 24 and the newest(and first out) has a 28/16R. We figured it was a good split. The 28 hits most of the roofs of anything we have and MOST members can handle it solo.
Just a question, what are the other team members i.e. roof/ovm doing that they cannot help with the assist of throwing a ladder?
I think it also has alot to do with the type of ladder. A Truss 35 is ALOT heavier than a Aco lite C channel beam ladder.........Plus when throwing a ladder in an urban (ie narrow sidewalk no lawn type situation) you almost always have to raise the ladder on its beam not perpendicular on its bed. Which makes throwing the ladder even more difficult for you especially on smooth concrete where you cant sink the feet.
Last edited by greggreg259 : 12-10-2007 at 12:31 AM.
Just a follow up
Truss 24 110lbs 28 118lbs 35 141lbs
Alco-Lite 24 75lbs 28 114lbs 35 139lbs
Duo Safety Beam 2472lbs28 87lbs 35 122lbs
As you can see there is a huge difference between what brand of ladder you have and what the weight is. There is only a ten pound increase to go from a Truss 24 to a Duo Safety 35. So depending on what type your truck carries could have a huge impact on what your expectations might be
I just hate it when I see only two sides of a fire building laddered! I've seen it too many times where a team does not do there part, This is bc everyone wants to be inside
we can say this till we're blue in the face...but some things will never change
Or log onto a local phot website and you'll see a fire scene that involves a commercial building with occupancies above ... and three aerial devices to the roof - not one portable ladder in sight.
Aerials can go to windows (even on private dwellings) too.
That attic window or the out of the way 2nd floor window can be reached via an aerial device if availble, freeing up protables for other sections of the stucture.
If one ladder company with 5-6 firefighters on board, arrives 1st due ... and they get the 24 and 16 thrown, and the aerial up ... they're doing pretty good, considering they have searches to perfrom as well.
Or log onto a local phot website and you'll see a fire scene that involves a commercial building with occupancies above ... and three aerial devices to the roof - not one portable ladder in sight.
Aerials can go to windows (even on private dwellings) too.
That attic window or the out of the way 2nd floor window can be reached via an aerial device if availble, freeing up protables for other sections of the stucture.
If one ladder company with 5-6 firefighters on board, arrives 1st due ... and they get the 24 and 16 thrown, and the aerial up ... they're doing pretty good, considering they have searches to perfrom as well.
Just remember, throwing a lot of portable ladders is def a good thing. But make sure you throw them the right way, make sure they arent too steep where you cant climb, or at a 30 degree angle where its going to slip out from under us (which most of us have seen happen on a video here on the rant).
Make sure they are at the right spots, its good to have a lot of them thrown yes, but if you have 6 thrown in the front of the building for the cameras and none of them on the 2,3,4 sides of the building what good is it?
If the building is short enough (1 story taxpayer, flat roof PD, etc.) get a portable to the roof as well, chances are it could be your only other means of egress besides the aerial device.
Also don't forget the difference of putting a ladder up to simply vent, or to VES.
Ladders are good and seem simple enough, but its still something you should practice and and drill on to make yourself more comfortable on the fireground.
Truck Co Ladder Throwing Expectations
