Overview:
Ladder operations involve climbing and other physical activities that may be difficult or intimidating to participants. Participants who are afraid of heights or who have back or knee injuries might want to sit out of these scenarios. These exercises require a one-to-one instructor to student ratio.
Main Message:
Ladder companies provide access to and exits for all parts of a fire building. They are responsible for removing heat and smoke to allow greater visibility and permit engine companies to move safely within a fire building.
Ladder operations are dangerous and require skill and stamina. Fire fighters must be comfortable working at high altitudes and have the strength to operate equipment for forcible entry and ventilation of a building.
Tasks Involved in Ladder Operations:
You can use a combination or variation of these tasks.
Tasks:
I. Aerial Ladder Climb
Applicable NFPA Standards (1914 & 1915)
Talking Points:
Aerial ladders provide access to the upper levels of a building. Using aerial ladders for rescue can be difficult and dangerous. Climbing a ladder with PPE and tools requires skill and stamina.
Ground ladders are used for rescue on lower floors.
Fire fighters must be comfortable working high in the air.
Rescue using a ladder is difficult and dangerous.
II. Ropes / Repelling
Talking Points:
Ropes are used to access areas that are unreachable by an aerial ladder. Ropes can be used to rescue victims
who are in tall buildings or to pull victims (conscious or unconscious) from confined spaces.
III. Forcible Entry / Ventilation
This exercise can be used in conjunction with the
aerial ladder climb. Make sure to use tools that participants can safely use to break through a structure (e.g., use a sledgehammer, not an ax).
Applicable NFPA standards (92A, 92B, 204)
Talking Points:
Fire fighters use tools to break through a roof, door or other structure in order to ventilate a burning building. This releases smoke and toxic gas and helps contain the fire.
Most fatalities occur as
a result of smoke and toxic gas.
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