Ch.20 Aerial Apparatus Strategies and Tactics Flashcards
Strategies vs. Tactics
Strategies- overall plan for incident attack and control
Tactics- actual procedures and actions taken to successfully carry out strategies
Aerial: Communication
pre-arrival, on scene, tactical
- Pre-Arrival Communication
-Direction of approach, decision to stage, water supply management
-Incident commander will communicate the vehicle, water supply, objective - On Scene Communication
-Size up
-Confirm water supply strategy
-Apparatus position - Tactical Communication
-Aerial Deployment- hand signals to guide into position and direct master stream
-Aerial Operations- use of headsets- communication b/t pump panel, control pedestal and tip
Aerial: Access to Upper Levels
possitioning. access for:
- Position to maximize building coverage (back in if possible)
- upwind if possible
- access for:
-rescue
-ventilation
-elevated fire attack
-emergency escape for interior FF’s
-deliver equipment
Aerial Tacrtics for Rescue
- When fire conditions do not allow access to interior stairs or exterior fire escapes
- Be aware of weight limitations of aerial device
- Best rescue approach is upwind on level ground
- Position aerial apparatus at corner of building
1) You can reach victims on two sides of building
2) Safer on corner if structural collapse - If victim is lifted over top rail turntable is directly in line with target
-Victim enters platform through hinged gate, turntable must be positioned little forward or behind target because platform gates are on side of platform
Aerial: Victim Rescue Priorty
- main objective: to reach as many victims as possible with minimum aerial movements
- priority from highest to lowest:
- Most Severely Threatened by Conditions of the Hazard
-greatest amount of danger
-Typically, occupants located on or above fire floor
-Give preference to individual who are panicked and appear ready to jump - Largest Number of Groups of People
-Larger group first - Remainder of People in the Hazard Area
-Removed in order of the next most threatened by hazard - People in Exposed Areas
-Victims that fall in third and fourth priority, judgement should be used to determine if in enough danger to evacuate by aerial
-Not in immediate danger and can be left in place until conditions improve
-Evacuated using interior stairways or fire escape
Raising Aerial Device to a Victim
- Best position- aerial device perpendicular to the object
- when at an angle, beam closest to building slightly above roofline
- Unsupported position the tip above the target spot
- Supported position tip resting evenly in contact with supporting object
-Older apparatus
-perpendicular positioning allows maximum load carrying when both base rails are evenly in contact with supporting object - Aerial Should be aimed above the victim and then lowered
-Aerial raised below victim may jump to ladder - Extension locks increase the overall strength of the extended device and greatly reduce the chance of failure
Positioning the Aerial Device for a Rescue from Window
-Tip positioned so that area of window opening is not diminished
-First rung of ladder should be placed even with windowsill
-Platform is placed so top rail of platform is even with the windowsill
-Can also place access gate through platform railing adjacent to window
Positioning the Aerial Device for a Rescue from a Roof
-Tip of ladder place 6 feet above edge of roof
-Platform should be placed so that bottom is just above and over edge of roof
-Parapet roofs may need roof ladder to get over the parapet
-Dealing with parapets, articulating aerial devices are best
Moving Victims Down Aerial Ladder
- At least one and preferably two firefighters should assist
- One firefighter assist inside building other remains on tip of ladder
- Capable adults should be guided down ladder
-Firefighter should always lead - Small children or incapable adults will be carried
-Cradle with one arm as other arm is used to assist with balance and stability - Three methods
1)Knee-sit
-best for heavier people who are conscious
-Firefighter stands below top rung with foot one rung above other
-Sits victim of firefighter’s knee facing them
-Begin to descend ladder one rung at a time
2)Across the rail
-Unconscious or severely injured victim
-Victim is positioned across rails of ladder with firefighter supporting from below
-Place both hand under victim body and grasp handrails
3)Over-the-shoulder carry (most difficult and most risky)
-Place victims face down across firefighter shoulder
-Knees should be in firefighter’s chest
-Assisting firefighter should remain in contact as you descend ladder
Moving Victims in Aerial Platforms
-Considerably easier
-Slower and not suited for mass evacuation
-Load capacity and space inside will determine number of passengers
-Two firefighters are required to remove unconscious victims
-Stokes basket should be laid across platform railing and secured
Lowering a Stokes Basket Using an Aerial Device
-Last resort
-Basket is placed on rungs of ladder with head up
-Guided down by one or two firefighters
-Rope at tip of ladder used to control descent
-Use a guide rope if basket is place perpendicular on top of handrails
Rope Rescue from Aerial
-Aerials can be used as a high point anchor only as last resort
-If pully is provided, working end of rope should be anchored to lower section of ladder
-never from ground or another anchor point, causes double the stress on ladder
Using Aerial Devices for Water Rescues
-Two most common vehicle in water or people trapped in fast moving water
-Often a lack of suitable location for adequate stabilization
-Aerial device contacting swift moving water could damage ladder
-Difficult to perform rescue with devices that have a low tip-load rating
Ventilation from an Aerial
- Ventilating a flat roof
-position apparatus on the unburned side of structure
-Extend the fly section minimum 6 feet over roof so FFs can visibly locate ladder
-Aerial platform should extend so that bottom is at roof level - Horizontal ventilation
-firefighter can break glass of windows w/ tool
-secured w/ safety belt
-Aerial device should be positioned slightly above window and upwind
-By taking position slightly above, firefighter is not at risk of falling glass
Elevated Master Streams:
Fog Streams
-Provide wide coverage
-Break up water to allow better steam conversion
-may not provide reach and penetration
-Intense fire, water stream may be converted to steam before reaching fire
