Ladder Ops Book 6 - The Tower Ladder

Question 1

All stabilizing components are equipped with locks (pins) that must be __________________________.

Answer 1

All stabilizing components are equipped with locks (pins) that must be INSERTED MANUALLY IN CASE OF HYDRAULIC FAILURE.

Question 2

Jacks and outriggers are controlled either through individual levers OR an “All Jacks” lever which operates all jacks and outriggers simultaneously. __________ is the preferred method for lowering when on LEVEL ground.

Answer 2

THE “ALL JACKS” is the preferred method for lowering when on LEVEL ground.

Question 3

Tower Ladders are not designed to operate with outriggers and jacks down on one side only.

If the apparatus is not level, lower the jacks and outrigger on the _____ side first, followed by the jacks and outrigger on the _____ side until the green lights indicate that all stabilizers are properly deployed.

Answer 3

LOW side first then high side.

Question 4

When encountering streets that are narrow and lined with parked cars, a Guide Firefighter, typically the _________, should assist the chauffeur in positioning the apparatus.

Answer 4

Outside Vent Firefighter

Question 5

The Guide Firefighter is to remain in position until the outrigger is ________ on the operator’s ______ side.

Answer 5

The Guide Firefighter is to remain in position until the outrigger is FULLY LOWERED on the operator’s BLIND side.

Question 6

Clearance needed for outriggers is ____ for 75’ TL and ____ for 95’ TL.

Answer 6

6 Feet for 75’ (6’ hook can be used) and 6’8” for 95’ (6’ hook CANT be used)

Question 7

The preferred placement of manual pins for outriggers is the ________ hole.

The preferred placement of manual pins for jacks is the ________ slot.

Answer 7

Outriggers = LOWEST hole
Jacks = HIGHEST slot

Question 8

The ______ (in bucket or at pedestal) has smoother positioning control and should therefore be used when performing more delicate movements. An exception to this is _______________.

Answer 8

PEDESTAL is smoother.

However, if the Pedestal Firefighter’s VIEW IS OBSTRUCTED (e.g. views obscured by smoke, fire building located on the opposite side of
the Pedestal Firefighter, cord reels affecting line of sight, etc then use bucket operations.

DONT BE CONFUSED THOUGH - Under normal conditions the member operating from an elevated position should control movement of the bucket. You only let the pedestal take over for delicate movements.

Question 9

The number of firefighters operating in the bucket should be limited to ____.

Answer 9

TWO

Question 10

The intercom is the PRIMARY MEANS OF COMMUNICATION between the bucket and the pedestal. How often is it checked?

Answer 10

EVERY TOUR

Question 11

Generally, the apparatus should be _________ to the building. Occasionally, the scrub area of the bucket will be reduced by the cab of the apparatus. This condition can be corrected by parking the apparatus with the ______ end angled ______ from the building line.

Answer 11

PARALLEL to building.

angling with FRONT end angled AWAY from building line. This is NOT AN ALWAYS. There are scenarios where angled towards the building are beneficial.

Question 12

The ideal horizontal distance from the center line of the turntable to an objective is ____ feet. When the center line of the turntable is _____ feet from a building there will be sufficient room for the bucket to be dropped below the horizontal with the boom perpendicular to the side of the apparatus.

Answer 12

32 feet is ideal but 25 feet will be sufficient for dropping the boom.

(Aerial is 25’-35’)

Question 13

The Tower Ladder Can Potentially Cover _____ Row Frames

Answer 13

The Tower Ladder Can Potentially Cover SIX Row Frames

Question 14

At a peaked roof PD, the preferred position of the apparatus is _______ to the front of building, so the bucket can be placed _________ near the ___________.

Answer 14

the preferred position of the apparatus is PARALLEL to the front of building, so the bucket can be placed OVER THE CORNER OF THE BUILDING near the PEAK OF THE ROOF.

Question 15

At fires in Places of Worship, the Tower Ladder should be positioned _________ of the building and provide ventilation of the roof and __________.

Answer 15

At fires in Places of Worship, the Tower Ladder should be positioned TO COVER TWO SIDES of the building and provide ventilation of the roof and ROSE WINDOW.

This is the same as in Places of Worship (corner safe area).

Question 16

(Up hill / down hill)

Ideally, you want the BOOM operating in the _____ direction and the rig facing the ______ direction.

Answer 16

Ideally, you want the BOOM operating in the UP-HILL direction and the rig facing the DOWN-HILL direction.

(e.g. if facing downhill, place the turntable past the objective; if facing uphill, place the turntable before the objective.)

Question 17

Where the ground is of doubtful stability, such as junk yards, vacant lots, or other unpaved areas that may have hidden voids, the positioning of the rig is different. How?

Answer 17

It may be more advantageous to position the apparatus PERPENDICULAR, or nearly perpendicular, to the fire building.

Question 18

When dealing with overhead wires it may be best to position ________________.

Answer 18

Turntable or center of apparatus DIRECTLY UNDER WIRES.

Question 19

If a live wire were to fall on the apparatus, what do you do? (4 things)

(transmissions, members near/on apparatus/ additional help)

Answer 19

1. Depress EAB and transmit URGENT to IC.
2. No member touch apparatus
3. Any member on apparatus, remain in place and not to be touched.
4. Immediately request a priority response of the Utility Company.

Question 20

When using the bucket as a substantial object, which can NOT be used?

1. Bucket posts
2. Bucket railings
3. Waterway

Answer 20

Bucket RAILINGS are NOT a substantial part of the bucket and shall NOT be used as a substantial object when tying off.

Question 21

When using a tactical two-member approach, one member goes in the VEIS and the other stays in the bucket. What contact must you remain in? Hearing, Visual, HT, etc?

Answer 21

VISUAL

It is essential for the Bucket Firefighter to remain in voice contact with the member conducting a search.

Question 22

When rescuing someone from a window, the bucket can be placed in two different ways, what are the two ways and what are each for?

Answer 22

1. Middle of the bucket at the window sill so a victim can easily step up into the bucket.
2. TOP OF THE BUCKET AT WINDOW SILL is for UNCONSCIOUS, INCAPACITATED, or OBESE victims

Question 23

When removing an incapacitated victim from a different situation (construction accident, collapse, obese, etc) what is the preferred method and what is the preferred positioning? (vertical, horizontal, diagonal).

The centerline of the turntable should also be AT LEAST _______ from the building.

Answer 23

Secure the patient into a STOKES BASKET and the preferred positioning is DIAGONAL.

At least 25’-30’ from the building.

Question 24

When placed to the roof for access, the preferred positioning is with the bucket ________ roof, parapet or cornice and the gate _______ to the roofline.

Answer 24

When placed to the roof for access, the preferred positioning is with the bucket OVER THE ROOF, parapet or cornice and the gate PARALLEL to the roofline.

Question 25

When cutting a peaked roof from the TL bucket, position the bucket ________________. The saw operator shall wear the installed safety belt, if this is not possible, the LSR should be tied to the bucket with what type of knot __________?

The Guide Firefighter, also properly secured in the bucket, then takes a firm hold on the __________________.

Answer 25

When cutting a peaked roof from the TL bucket, position the bucket AS CLOSE TO THE RIDGEPOLE AS POSSIBLE.

LSR is secured with a BOWLINE.

The Guide FF takes a firm hold on THE OPERATORS PERSONAL HARNESS OR LIFE BELT (not the LSR).

Question 26

When cutting a peaked roof -

1. Where is the first cut?
2. How many cuts total?
3. Which is the knockout cut?

Answer 26

1. First cut is PARALLEL to ridge pole.
2. FOUR cuts total
3. FOURTH AND LAST CUT is knockout cut.

Question 27

When members must escape the bucket, they can use the escape ladders. What three things need to be done?

Answer 27

1. RIG STAYS IN PTO
2. Engine shut down
3. Raise escape ladder side rails

Question 28

Possible signs that the bucket may be wedged or stuck?

Code: I Make Some Time For Stuck Tower Ladder

Answer 28

Inoperable joystick
Movement of pedestal controls don’t work
Scraping noises
Throttle increase
Flexing of the boom
Stalled boom movement
Torsional movement
NO L

Question 29

If you have any indication that the bucket may be stuck:

(Inoperable joystick, Movement of pedestal controls don’t work, Scraping noises, Throttle increase, Flexing of the boom, Stalled boom movement, Torsional movement)

What needs to happen?

Answer 29

1. Verify all members are secured to a substantial object
2. Transmit an URGENT to IC - “Ladder 99 OV URGENT… the bucket is wedged.”
3. REMAIN LOW - Immediately crouch or sit
4. PTO REMAINS ENGAGED
5. APPARATUS SHUT DOWN

Question 30

When overhauling, where should the bucket be placed in relation to work area?

Answer 30

The top of the bucket railing should be positioned SLIGHTLY BELOW the work area.

Question 31

When supplying the TL with water

1. How many supply sources?
2. Whats the best supply source?
3. Recommended pressure?

Answer 31

1. ONE source
2. Satellite is best
3. 200-250 PSI

Question 32

Can you reposition the TL with a water supply attached?

Answer 32

Yes.

If the distance is short and sufficient slack remains in the supply line, the Tower Ladder may be repositioned without disconnecting the supply line.

However, NEVER MOVE WITH BOOM RAISED.

Question 33

When the fire building is heavily involved or there are multiple floors of fire, LCS delivery should generally start __________ and work its way __________.

There are TWO exception to this, what are they?

Answer 33

When the fire building is heavily involved or there are multiple floors of fire, LCS delivery should generally start at the LOWEST LEVEL and WORK UPWARD.

(you dont want to be operating above fire)

Two exceptions -
1. Heavily involved ROWFRAME. You begin at the top floor / cockloft and let water cascade down.
2. Shared cockloft, you start at the leading edge and work your way to the middle.

Question 34

How should you direct the stream?

1. H-Types fire in throat
2. Taxpayers
3. Peaked roof PD
4. How about operating down into a roof?

Answer 34

1. THROAT first, then towards front
2. At ceiling to collapse it, exposing cockloft fire
3. In extreme situations, the LCS directed through an attic window of a peaked frame dwelling can be used to ventilate by literally blowing off the roof.
4. The application of a LCS downward into roof openings from an elevated position can be COUNTERPRODUCTIVE.

Question 35

The ______ tip is preferable when deep penetration of the stream is necessary to hydraulically overhaul stock.

Answer 35

1 1/2”

Question 36

When cutting a hole in a brick wall - what hand tools can be used and start where?

You can also use a saw, which saw blade? What does the cut look like and in what order?

And lastly, how large?

Answer 36

1. Maul. Start at the top.
2. Diamond blade. Shaped like a triangle. Left side, then right side, bottom cut along the mortar) is last.
3. Make the opening large enough so the saw can be inserted to cut an inner wall, if necessary.