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September-October 2009 |
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Ground Ladders: Tricks of the Trade
Ground ladders are a key component for safe and effective fireground operations. Compromising their use could result in dire consequences. Many "truckies," for a multitude of reasons, find themselves working alone, and moving and raising ground ladders can be an arduous task. However, there are some simple tricks-of-the-trade that can take the work out of handling ground ladders.
It’s All a Balancing Act
Simply locating and marking the balance point on all of your ground ladders will make removing them from the rig and carrying them onto the fireground safer and easier.
The balance point and the center point of the ladder are rarely the same. Different components on the ladder will cause the balance point to vary from ladder to ladder. To balance a ground ladder, place it flat on top of a single carpenter’s sawhorse roughly at the ladder’s center point (photo 1). Note: Extension ladders need to remain in the bedded position.
Once the ladder is in place, it will normally tilt like a playground teeter-totter. Slide the entire ladder towards the high end until the ladder balances evenly on the edge of the sawhorse (photo 2).
Make a small mark directly above the narrow edge of the sawhorse. This is the balance point of the ladder. Mark the balance point on both beams on the top and bottom with paint or reflective tape (photo 3).
Markers should be 2-4 inches in length so that they can be easily and quickly identified. Consider using your company designation or fire department initials (ex. L-34 or DHFD) to instill company pride. If you chose paint for your markers, tape off the area around the marks for a professional and clean look. Do not paint any of the rungs. Doing so could create a slip hazard and hide any defect. Reflective tapes are usually placed on the edges of the beams and can be a simple fire department or company identification sticker or any number of reflective tapes available from a hardware store. Another option that works very well is the 1” by 4” reflective trim used on modern style helmets which comes in a variety of colors. Regardless of what method you chose for your markers, be sure to inspect them routinely since normal ladder use can damage and degrade them.
So the next time you go to grab a ground ladder, whether it is off the side of an engine, out the back of the ladder trough or off the horizontal ladder rack on the side of the truck, just grasp the rungs on each side of the balance point marker when you remove it. With this simple trick-of-the-trade you will immediately notice that the ladder is easier to control, and since the weight is evenly distributed, the ladder will even “feel” lighter during the carry.
One more thought since we’re on the topic of marking ladders. How many times have you witnessed firefighters re-bed a ground ladder into one of the stiles of horizontal brackets only to realize the rung was placed on the wrong side of the bracket, or stand there holding the ladder up shuffling back and forth trying to figure out which rungs to align up. A simple fix to this simple act that makes us look more like a probie on their first day than well trained firefighters is to mark the ladder where it rests on the brackets (photo 4).
Now the next time you take-up, you’ll look like a veteran…at least when you put the ladders back.
This article is dedicated to the memory of Dana Hannon, FDNY L-34, one of the original FDIC Ground Ladders Program instructors, lost September 11, 2001
TRICKS-OF-THE-TRADE FROM FDIC GROUND LADDERS HOT PROGRAM
Michael Ciampo, FDNY
Mathew
Rush, Austin (TX) FD
Matthew Negedly, Orlando (FL) FD
J.J. Cassetta, Orlando (FL) FD
Jamie Morelock, Toledo (OH) FD
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