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More Laddering Challenges By Ted Corporandy
In the May-June 2009 article titled Laddering Challenges, a View from San Francisco, the importance of overcoming the difficulties presented by the multitude of laddering situations firefighters may encounter was discussed. Training with standard raises on flat, open ground is a good start; but if we fail to train for the difficult and unusual circumstances — those presented by low frequency, high risk events — then we are destined to fail when life hangs in the balance (literally). The May-June article illustrated in detail the raising of the 50-foot bangor ladder and the importance of communication and coordination if the course of action is to be successful. An unusual situation that arises from time to time occurs when a victim needs to be removed (or rescued) from a window near the end of a narrow dead-end alley. See diagram 1.
With the standard raise, it would be impossible to properly place the ladder at the desired location due to obstructions. The alternative would be to enter the alley with the ladder, place it to the point it is to be raised, flip the ladder over so that the truss side is facing down, then raise the ladder using a series of altered movements. As stated in the earlier article, this ladder is heavy, unwieldy and poses a serious stability problem during the raising and lowering maneuvers. It is imperative that close attention is paid to the ladder, the other firefighters, and the officer’s commands. Once the ladder is placed to the correct location for raising, the ladder flipped with truss side down, and ladder poles placed, the commands are as follows. Officer: “Prepare to raise….” Officer: “Raise.” (The ladder is raised to the vertical position.) See Diagram 2.
Spur firefighters and beam firefighters secure the base of the ladder as pole firefighters walk forward, raising the ladder. Once the ladder is raised to the vertical position the next command will be: Officer: “Prepare to pivot.” With this command, the inside pole firefighter walks with the pole to a position 90 degrees towards the building. See Diagram 3. When the inside pole firefighter reaches the proper point he/she answers the officer.
Inside Pole Firefighter: “Set.” Officer: “Pivot.” With the command “Pivot,” the inside pole firefighter pulls slightly to assist the pivoting of the ladder. At the same time the outside pole firefighter takes one step towards the building as the ladder rotates 90 degrees. See Diagram 4.
The next series of maneuvers prepares the ladder to be extended to the appropriate height. The officer continues with his/her commands: Officer: “Prepare to extend.” With this command, the inside pole firefighter takes a position at approximately 45 degrees with the building. Inside Spur Firefighter: Unties halyard in preparation for extension Inside Pole Firefighter: “Set.” The outside pole firefighter then walks to a position at 45 degrees to the building: Outside Pole Firefighter: “Set.” See Diagram 5.
Upon receiving the response “Set” from each of the pole firefighters, the officer gives the following command: Officer: “Extend.”
Outside Spur Firefighter: Using the halyard, extends the ladder to the appropriate height. Officer: “Place ladder.” Upon hearing this command, pole firefighters walk toward the building and outward until the ladder hits its target. Poles are then set. Beam firefighters assist in the placing of the ladder by applying pressure on the beam and easing the ladder into place. Spur firefighters continue to control the base of the ladder. The ladder halyard is then tied by one of the beam firefighters. Proficiency with this ladder raise can only be achieved by continual practice. It will keep the mind sharp and give firefighters the upper hand when having to adapt to unusual circumstances. © Copyright Firenuggets.com 2010 • Click here for Terms and Conditions of Use
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