William S. Hart Fire Academy
Ladder Commands
All ladder commands are given by the base member unless otherwise noted.
Carrying the ladder:
Ladder will be in one of the four possible storage configurations.
1. Ladder resting on ground with fly section and or truss facing up.
2. Ladder on apparatus, inside the bed, stored upright on beams.
3. Ladder on apparatus, stored on the beam.
4. Ladder on the side of apparatus, stored flat.
Preparatory Command / Command of Execution / ActionUnlock / Ladder / Signal to tip member to release the locking/latching mechanism that secures the ladder to the apparatus. (Not used from ground)
Ready on Butt / Signal to other member(s) that the base member is ready to remove or lift the ladder. This will be preceded by the type of carry and which direction to face.
Ready on Middle / Signal to other members that the middle member is ready to remove or lift the ladder. Command is given by middle member only ( Middle member is used on 35’ Extension)
Ready on Tip / Signal to other member(s) that the tip member is ready to remove or lift the ladder. Command is given by tip member only.
Remove / Ladder / Members remove ladder from apparatus to the specified carry.
Beam / Ladder / Members place ladder on beam. Preceding this command, the ladder may be stored on the ground or may be held by members.
Shoulder / Ladder / When the ladder is to be put onto a members shoulders.
Ground / Ladder / Members place the ladder flat on the ground.
Lift / Ladder / Members lift ladder from a shoulder carry to an above head carry with arm locked in narrow access areas.
Forward / Ladder / Members walk forward with the ladder.
Stop / Ladder / Members stop walking with the ladder.
Reverse / Ladder / Members reverse direction on the ladder. Example: If facing the tip, the command would have all members facing the base.
Tip / Right/Left / Tip member moves the ladder to the right/left.
Placing the Ladder to Objective and Raising the Ladder:
Preparatory Command / Command of Execution / ActionOverhead all clear / A safety command given by the base member that will signal to other members that it is safe to raise the ladder. If an obstruction is visible, the base member must state the obstruction. Example: “Branches overhead”
Butt / To Ground / Base member places the butt of the ladder on the ground in a position that will allow the ladder to be raised to vertical.
Raise / Ladder / Ladder is raised to the vertical position by tip and/or middle member(s). This command is especially important when raising on the beam.
Ladder / High / Ladder is in the balanced vertical position.
Adjust / Ladder / Signals that you are moving the ladder in or out and/or right or left
Tip / Right/Left / Tip member moves the ladder to the right/left.
Pivoting the Ladder in the Vertical Position:
Preparatory Command / Command of Execution / ActionPivot on this beam toward me/you. Ready / Pivot / Base member slaps his hand on the appropriate beam during preparatory command. “Pivot” will not be stated until all members have moved to proper positions to pivot the ladder.
Extending the Ladder:
Preparatory Command / Command of Execution / ActionExtend / Fly / Member on appropriate side pulls the halyard straight down to extend the ladder.
Lock / Dogs / Signals the base member to lock the dogs.
Dogs / Locked / Confirmation that the dogs are locked after the ladder has been extended. This command is given by the halyard man.
Lower / In / Signal to all members to lower the ladder into the objective.
Ladder Ready to Climb / Statement made by the base member that the ladder has been checked for four points of contact and that the climbing angle is correct.
Taking Ladder Down:
Preparatory Command / Command of Execution / ActionOverhead all clear / A safety command given by the tip member that will signal to other members that it is safe to remove the ladder. If an obstruction is visible, the tip member must state the obstruction.
Remove / Ladder / Signal to all members to remove the ladder from the objective.
Retract / Fly / Member on appropriate side pulls the halyard straight down to retract the fly section of the ladder. At this point the halyard man will yell out “fingers and toes” (only given with extension ladders)
Dogs / Unlocked / Signals the base member that the dogs are unlocked.
Lower / Ladder / Ladder is taken from the vertical position down to the carry that was specified by the base member.
Clear the rear ladder coming down / Statement made by the base member that the ladder is beinglowered from the objective for four points of contact and that the climbing angle is correct.
3,2,1 / Signal from base member to the other members letting them know that they are to shoulder the ladder.
Placing the Ladder on the Apparatus:
Preparatory Command / Command of Execution / ActionPrepare to Bed Ladder / Bed Ladder / Members prepare to bed ladder by placing their hands in the correct place.
Secure Ladder / Ladder / Members secure the ladder on the apparatus.
Other Ladder Commands:
Preparatory Command / Command of Execution / ActionOn / Ladder / Member who is approaching ladder to climb will state this.
Off / Ladder / Member who has stepped off the ladder will state this.
Locking / In / Member who is locking in to the ladder will state this to alert the member who is footing the ladder.
Ladder / Secure / Member who has tied off the ladder at the tip will alert the member who is footing the ladder.
Hooks / Tip Member on a roof ladder is either deploying hooks or returning hooks to the stored position. Given by the tip member.
Ladder Carries:
One Member:
High Shoulder Carry;
12', 13' A Frame (wood aka: Redhead)
12', 14', 16' Baby Bangor
14', 16' Straight
20', 24' Extension (aluminum)
Low Shoulder Carry;
14', 16', 20' Straight
16' Roof
Two Member:
Low Shoulder Carry;
20', 24' Straight
20' Roof
24', 28', 35' Extension
Three Member:
Flat Shoulder Carry;
35' Extension
Ladder Raises:
Flat Raise
Beam Raise