B-124 Ladder Company Apparatus Operations

Question 1

Aerial apparatus personnel, when deployed or assigned to function as a ladder company, are responsible for conducting operations that support engine company objectives. Generally, these include duties of ____

Answer 1

forcible entry, search and rescue, controlling fire extension, assisting attack operations, ventilation (horizontal, vertical and pressurized), utility control, salvage and elevated master stream evolutions.

Question 2

A Driver Engineer shall ____ whenever members are operating on the aerial ladder or in the bucket, as well as when they have moved from the aerial/platform onto/into an upper elevation.

Answer 2

• remain on the aerial turntable

Question 3

Aerial apparatus must be properly positioned because of how difficult it is to change locations once a truck has been spotted and set up. For these reasons, the Driver Engineer and Aerial Officer must be able to:

Answer 3

(1) accurately interpret fire ground conditions; (2) know the capabilities and limitations of their apparatus; (3) anticipate fire growth and extension; and (4) be familiar with the involved building and its surroundings

Question 4

The placement of aerial apparatus is dependent on four conditions:

Answer 4

1. Whether immediate rescue is needed.
2. The frontage size of the building to be covered (this is determined by the building set back, objective height, and aerial length).
3. The amount of smoke, heat and/or fire that is present.
4. The presence of any area or street conditions that might hamper optimum positioning (i.e., narrow alleyways, elevated roadways, electrical lines, high tension wires and street lights). Raise the ladder out of the bed and then rotate it towards the roadway until it clears the obstruction. Once clear, raise, rotate, extend the ladder to the laddering objective.

Question 5

Where possible aerial apparatus should be positioned ____ since this location enables the ladder to ____

Answer 5

• at the corner of a fire building

* reach two sides of the building from the strongest portion of the structure.

Question 6

Aerial apparatus should be positioned so that the ladder tip is extended at least ____ so that personnel can safely enter and exit the roof. This positioning also enables them to ____ under heavy smoke conditions.

Answer 6

• 5’ past the roof level

* find the ladder

Question 7

aerial positioning/stabilization rules:

Answer 7

1. Do not position too close to another company; allow sufficient room for them to deploy hose lines, ladders, and other equipment.
2. Avoid blocking the street unless absolutely necessary.
3. If possible, approach the scene from a different direction than the first arriving engine company.
4. NEVER position the ladder under overhead power lines and/or within 10 feet of overhead power lines.
5. Always leave a means of egress.
6. Position for both offensive and defensive considerations.
7. Position at the corner of the building whenever possible.
8. Consider the collapse zone when positioning
9. Ensure that jacks and stabilizers can be fully deployed on firm and stable ground.

Question 8

1st due Truck Companies shall assume a position ____

Answer 8

in front of the address side of the building (Side A) which allows them the best position to perform their normal responsibilities (forcible entry, search and rescue, controlling fire extension, assisting attack operations, ventilation, utility control and salvage).

Question 9

2nd due Truck Companies shall assume a position ____

Answer 9

in rear of the address side of the building (Side C) which allows them the best position to perform their responsibilities (see above). Typically, this unit is positioned at the opposite corner of the 1st due Truck. In situations where this placement is not possible, the 2nd due Truck shall advise the Incident Commander and await orders.

Question 10

3rd due Truck Companies shall ____

Answer 10

be assigned as needed.

Question 11

Place the center of the turntable approximately ____ from the building so that a good climbing angle can be achieved.,

Answer 11

25’-35’

Question 12

Position the ladder so that it is approximately ____ away from the objective. Aerial ladders, booms, and baskets should never be allowed to rest upon any object or structure other than the truck ladder cradle. The aerial device is designed for positive loads. Do not rest the aerial on the ground, roof, etc. Any aerial loading operation or the lowering control while the aerial is in this condition could cause a back bending negative load and serious damage.

Answer 12

6”-8”

Question 13

Remove ____ first. After removing those ____, shift the ladder to complete the removal operations.

Answer 13

• those most seriously exposed

* most seriously exposed

Question 14

What is the threshold that defines a narrow frontage building?

Answer 14

30’ or less

Question 15

Ladder pipe operations. Use two sources of water supply in order to avoid ____

Answer 15

the severe structural stresses

that the ladder would be subjected to if the water flow was suddenly interrupted.

Question 16

Ladder pipe operations. Operate the turntable ____ (NOTE: Make sure all personnel operating within the building are removed prior to initiating this operation)

Answer 16

slowly and smoothly to complete a horizontal sweep of the structure

Question 17

Even after confirming the withdrawal of fire fighters from the area,____ . This acts as a warning for all fire fighters that were not informed or aware that ladder pipe operations or the operation of other exterior streams was being accomplished.

Answer 17

sweep the stream horizontally across and into the windows without hesitating or stopping

Question 18

Connecting the LDH supply to the rear 5” intake (pump bypass) must be avoided during aerial master stream firefighting operations. The friction loss generated in the aerial apparatus waterway can be excessive at high GPM flows and may exceed the pressure of the incoming supply pressure. The friction loss in the waterway can be as high as ____ alone. Adding the operating pressure of the nozzle, and the friction loss from elevation leads to considerable friction loss totals.

Answer 18

45 psi

Question 19

Aerial master stream operations will require at least ____ to operate the aerial apparatus.

Answer 19

• two Driver/Engineers
• One Driver/Engineer will be in attendance at the turntable during all aerial operations, and aerial master stream operations. A second Driver/Engineer shall be assigned by Command to operate the pump panel on the same aerial apparatus.

Question 20

Aerial company officers, when setting up for aerial master stream operations, are responsible for ____

Answer 20

requesting a second Driver/Engineer from Command to operate the pump panel

Question 21

Even after confirming the withdrawal of firefighters from the area, ____. This acts as a warning for all firefighters that were not informed or aware that ladder pipe operations or the operation of other exterior streams is being accomplished.

Answer 21

sweep the stream horizontally across and into the windows without hesitating or stopping

Question 22

As per manufacturer instructions, aerial devices should never be utilized as ____

Answer 22

a crane to lift materials and people.

Question 23

From time to time aerial devices are utilized as high point anchors and as the attachment point for a change of direction rope system. ____ are the device of choice to utilize for these operations

Answer 23

Aerial platforms

Question 24

Pierce platform apparatus are rated for a ____ tip load. The E- One platform is rated for a ____ tip load. Therefore, when possible, a ____ aerial platform should be utilized in conjunction with technical rescue rope operations systems.

Answer 24

• 1000lb
• 750lb
• Pierce 1000lb tip rated