Ground Ladders
October 2011 Fire Training
Boone County Fire Protection District
Overview and Purpose:
§ Firefighter safety can be enhanced through practical evolutions involving real time scenario based training on Ground Ladder Operations.
§ It is important for all members of the Boone County Fire District to be proficient and comfortable in all components of ground ladders.
§ It is necessary to emphasize the importance of proper ladder placement at structure fires based on the task assigned.
§ Firefighters and Fire Officers must understand when ladders are appropriate for use at structure fires.
Objectives: At the conclusion of this training session, participants will have had an opportunity to:
Cognitive Objectives:
§ Discuss the anatomy of a roof ladder
§ Discuss the anatomy of the extension ladders
§ Discuss the anatomy of an attic ladder
§ Describe the proper uses of each of the aforementioned ladders
§ Discuss proper lifts, raises, and lowers of all ground ladders
§ Discuss the proper body mechanics when ascending and descending ladders
§ Right together/Left together
§ Describe the appropriate way to ascend and descend ladders while carrying tools
§ Discuss the need for at least (2) points of egress minimum when firefighters are working on an upper floor
§ Discuss appropriate ways to heal a ladder
§ Discuss why healing ladders is important
o Calling out “On Ladder” on approach and “Off ladder” when done with evolution
o Counting the final 5 steps on descent
o Announcing “down ladder” when ready to descend
§ Discuss the general maintenance guidelines for all ground ladders
§ Discuss how to perform a ladder inspection
Affective Objectives:
§ Explain the proper placement of each ladder
o Attic ladder
o Roof Ladder
§ Pitched roof ventilation
§ Wall ladder operations to lower elevations
o Extension ladder (Window Operations)
§ Ventilation – Windward side with the tips at the head of the window
§ Fire Attack – Placed in the middle of the window with the tips of the ladder above the head of the window
§ Entry/Egress – Tips of the ladder placed directly at or slightly below the window sill
§ Rescue – the tips of the ladder placed directly at the window sill
o Extension Ladder (Roof Operations)
§ Five rungs above the roof line
§ Explain the proper commands for lifting, raising, and lowering ladders
§ Explain the need to check for overhead obstructions
§ Explain how to perform a leg lock and in what instances that application is appropriate
§ Explain how extension ladders should be secured before ascending and descending
Psychomotor Objectives:
§ Perform the following carries:
o One-firefighter shoulder carry
o Two-firefighter shoulder carry
o Three firefighter flat method (35 ft.)
o One-firefighter suitcase carry
o Two-firefighter suitcase carry
§ Perform the following raises:
o Single firefighter wall raise (roof ladder)
o Two-firefighter flat raise
o Two-firefighter beam raise
o Three-firefighter flat raise (35 ft.)
§ Set-up the 24 foot extension ladder for ventilation
o Perform a leg lock (opposite leg from the window)
§ Set up for fire attack (leg lock)
§ Set up for rescue/entry-egress
o Rescue a conscious individual from a window
o Rescue an unconscious individual from a window
§ Tie a clove hitch to secure the halyard to the ladder
Scope and Sequence of the Lesson:
§ A brief introduction by the instructor to overview the activities of the evening.
§ The station will be split into smaller groups with an assigned coach
§ Each group will don PPE and gather the ladders off of the apparatus.
o 24 ft extension ladder, 35 ft extension ladder, attic ladder, roof ladder
§ Note: For stations that do not have a tanker, one will be brought to them for this training by a member of the training bureau
§ Groups will perform a maintenance inspection
§ Groups will discuss the anatomy of each individual ladder and the indications for their use
§ Groups will then cover each of the above psychomotor objectives and will be given numerous different scenarios to complete
§ After the evolutions are complete, groups will clean and lube each ladder. All ladders will be in excellent working condition after training is complete.
§ Once evolutions are complete, at the discretion of the site coordinator, training will be complete.
§ All participants will have ample time to work on all of the previous objectives
Logistics:
§ Engine and Tanker with working ladders
§ Handouts
§ Utility rope bag for hoisting tools
§ Supplemental videos
Resources and References:
§ Division of Fire Safety FF1/FF2 skills sheets
§ Essentials of Firefighting - 5th Edition, Chapter 10