Learn/Equipment/Ladder Operations
Equipment

Ladder Operations

Ladder types, terminology, commands, truck company tools, and aerial operations.

01

5 Types of Ground Ladders

  • Extension
  • Straight
  • Attic (Collapsible/Folding)
  • Combination
  • Scaler / Roof
02

Ladder Sizes

SizeLocation
40' extensionTruck
35' extensionTruck
30' extension (Fiber)*Engine
28' extensionTruck
24' straightTruck
24' extension (Fiber)*Engine
22' straightTruck
20' scalerTruck
16' scalerTruck
14" straight (Aluminum)*Engine
12' scalerTruck
12' combinationTruck
10' or 12' folding atticBoth

* Fiberglass ladders only on select engines

03

Ladder Facts

  • OFD uses 100ft Aerial ladders.
  • Older Engines use Fiberglass Ladders on top-mounted ladder rack.
  • Newer Engines use Aluminum ladders in rear compartment.
  • Truck 5 carries a 14' Baby Bangor.
  • Beams of ground ladders are made of Douglas Fir.
  • Rungs of ground ladders are made of Hickory.
  • Tip: Top 20 inches of wooden ladder, painted white.
  • Foot: Bottom 20 inches of wooden ladder, painted black.
  • Training ladders are painted orange/pink at both ends — not to be climbed.
  • Ideal climbing angle: 70° (1/5 length of ladder plus 2).
04

Ladder Terminology A-Z

Aerial
An aerial truck where the aerial ladder is mounted on a trailer pulled by a tractor joined by a "fifth wheel." The trailer section is steered by a tiller wheel.
Beam
The solid or trussed main structural side member of a ladder supporting the rungs.
Beam Raise
A method of throwing a ladder by resting it on one beam and raising it sideways.
Bed Section
The lower section of an extension ladder into which the upper sections retract.
Bridging
Using a fire ladder to span a gap between structures.
Climbing Angle
70° ideal angle (1/5 length of ladder plus 2).
Collapsible Ladder
Ladder with rungs that collapse, making beams fold together. Also called a folding or attic ladder.
Extension Ladder
A ladder consisting of two or more sections that can be nested for ease of handling and extend to provide needed height.
Flat Raise
A common method of raising a ladder where one or more persons secure the foot and others lift the other end and walk toward the heel.
Fly
The upper sections of an extension or aerial ladder.
Foot
The base of the ladder.
Footing the Ladder
A method used to secure ground ladders for raising, lowering, or climbing.
Ground Ladder
Portable ladder, usually 10 to 40 feet in length.
Guides
Strips of wood or metal that guide a fly section while it is being extended.
Halyard
A rope or cable used to elevate the fly sections of an extension ladder.
05

Ladder Commands

  • PREPARE TO BEAM.... BEAM! (Lifting from ground)
  • PREPARE TO SHOULDER.... SHOULDER!
  • PREPARE TO FENDER.... FENDER! (Side mounted)
  • PREPARE TO FORWARD.... FORWARD!
  • LADDER COMING THROUGH
  • CHECKING FOR WIRES OR OVERHEAD OBSTRUCTIONS
  • PREPARE TO STOP... STOP! (Command by foot when desired position reached, raised fist)
  • PREPARE TO REVERSE... REVERSE!
  • PREPARE TO LOWER, LOWER
  • FINGERS AND TOES ALL CLEAR... EXTENDING THE FLY!
  • FINGERS AND TOES ALL CLEAR... RETRACTING THE FLY!
  • LOCK DOGS!... DOGS ARE LOCKED!
  • LADDER INTO THE BUILDING! / LADDER AWAY FROM THE BUILDING!
  • PIVOT THE LADDER ON THIS BEAM, THIS BEAM TOWARDS YOU/ME... PIVOT!
  • SECURE THE HALYARD
  • LADDER COMING DOWN THIS WAY, CHECKING FOR OVERHEAD WIRES AND OBSTRUCTIONS. ALL CLEAR
  • PREPARE TO BED LADDER, BED LADDER
  • LADDER COMING OUT (Ladder Nest)
  • LADDER LOCKED / LADDER UNLOCKED
  • GIVE ME LADDER... TAKE SOME LADDER... I GOT THE WEIGHT... TAKE SOME WEIGHT
  • I GOT YOUR FOOT, THIS BEAM (Tap beam being footed)
  • HALFWAY (Lets head know they are halfway)
  • 3-2-1 STEP OUT (Near end of ladder while lowering)
  • FOOTING LADDER / ON LADDER / STEPPING OFF / OFF LADDER
  • SOUNDING ROOF
  • LOCKING IN — LOCKED IN / UNLOCKING — UNLOCKED
  • TYING OFF / LADDER TIED OFF
  • DOGS LOCKED
  • 3-2-1 GROUND (Person descending ladder)
  • 3-2-1 CONTACT (Ladder lowered into building)
  • PREPARE TO FLAT — FLAT / PREPARE TO BEAM — BEAM
06

Truck Tool Color Codes

Truck 1
GREEN
Truck 2
YELLOW
Truck 3
BLACK AND WHITE
Truck 4
BLUE
Truck 5
TAN
Truck 6
GREY
Truck 7
RED
07

Truck Crew Sizes

5-member trucks: T1, T2, T4

4-member trucks: T3, T5, T6, T7

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