Chp 17 Positioning Aerial Flashcards
No hard and fast rules for positioning aerials
Some depts develop SOP’s to help
Done during pre planning
Placement considerations
Aerial objective
Placement of the turntable
scene conditions
Proper stabilization
Possible scenarios
2 arrive, one goes front, one goes rear
2 arrive, one follows SOP, one waits at intersection
1 arrive, center of involved area for offense, clear of collapse (corner) for defense
Distance from bld
Whatever gives best stability, climbing angle and extension
Trucks older than 1991
Don’t use at low elevation and long ext. Not good for any truck but these weren’t designed for it.
Positioning considerations when spotting
Surface conditions
Grade
Wind conditions
OH obstructions
Angle of operation
Special situations
Surface conditions
Use soft ground as last resort, watch for settling
Become soft: frozen ground, dry soil, thin asphalt especially if it gets hot (parking lots, look for bleeding)
Underground vaults: parking structure, utility, drainage, basements, subway, manhole covers
Grade
If uphill, back tires can’t stop sliding downhill and can’t reach rear compartments
If downhill can reach compartments but frame rails sag when front tires lifted
If 2 rear jacks, may need to face uphill
Uneven jacking s/b with single chasis trucks designed to be lifted off the ground
Windy conditions
Applies unintended loads and magnifies other loads
Position to minimize extension
Deploy aerial over the front or back, parallel to wind
Mfg had predetermined wind loads
Electricity and obstructions
Avoid cars and garbage cans
Mind step potential (may be 150’)
No overhead lines are insulated and can arc 10’
10’ clearance for normal (now 20), 50’ for high voltage 50k
Use lights to search for powerlines if its dark
If app gets energized, stay inside
Angle of aerial deployment
Most stable over front or back so consider placing to extend that way
For rear mounted back in to maximize reach, for midmount nose in
When on a hill
Going uphill is best, stop short and fly over the cab
Going downhill drive past and fly off the back
If only 2 jacks, always face uphill
Supported tip
Follow mfg recommendations
Maximum loading for unsupported tip is 70-80*
Approaching considerations
Be careful around pedestrians
Avoid narrow or one way streets
Uphill upwind
Minimize anglr and ext
Don’t block the scene
Back into dead end streets
Mind exhuast and noise for victims (shut down if only support)
Staging
SOPs help
Or use Level I and Level II
Highways
Angle to sheild FF with operator side protected
Turn front wheels away in case hit
Take one extra lane
Additional app 150-200’ back
Put on low beams without flashing
At night use minimum lights
If deployed, check outriggers are still secure
Railroads
Stay 25’ from tracks
Same side as incident
If deploying keep aerial 25’ above tracks
Unstable ground and passing trains may vibrate
Bridges
Check load capacity
Stagger app placement to distribute weight
Mind the wind and freezing
Medicals
Most common type of call
Park off the street
Not on driveways or yards
If not, shield between smaller app and traffic
Fires
Positioning determined by bld height and condition and needs:
Rescue
Vent
Master stream
Also consider exposing if fire is big and hot or growing Escape route)
Collapse and falling debris (glass, signs, blocks, gates)
Signs of collapse
Bulging walls
Sagging roofs
Large cracks in the exterior
Falling bricks, blocks or mortar
Interior collapse
Hazmat
Get windspeed and direction enroute
Approach uphill upwind
Stop short till you know what you got
Don’t park over manholes/storm drains
Consider all MVA’s hazamat
ARFF
Maybe extrication, or fire, not really useful but can provide access for evac, handlines, etc
If no paved roads to accident, park as close as you can
Don’t drive though jet fuel
Park upwind of vapors
Look for wreckage that can puncture tires
Stage near expected touch down, leave room for slides
Petroleum storage
Exposure or fire attack
Positioning needs to be part of SOP
Never inside dike
Upwind helps smoke and deploying foam
Have narrow driveways, dead ends and OH obstructions
HRT
May help with below grade or high angle
Jackknifing
Jacknknife to 60* for max stability
Can go up to 90* but no more than that
Aerial Stresses
Stress: excessive horizontal or vertical angle, on a grade, length of extension, NR, wind, radiant heat, ice, impact, road wear
Stress comes from ladder rungs non parallel to the ground or park on incline and deploy off the side, minimize by pointing aerial downhill
