chapter 10

Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator Handbook

2nd Edition

Chapter 10 — Aerial Apparatus Strategies and Tactics

Learning Objective 1

Identify the victim removal priorities for aerial device rescues.

10–2Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

DISCUSSION QUESTION

What are the four main operational strategies of the aerial apparatus?


• Always first priority on fireground• May be necessary if victims cannot

escape using interior stairs or exterior fire escapes

• Always keep in mind the weight limitations of ladder or aerial device

Rescue


• Most severely threatened by conditions of hazard

• Largest number of groups of people• Remainder of people in hazard area• People in exposed area

Priority Considerations

(Continued)


Priority Considerations


Discuss raising the aerial device to a victim.



• Best position• In unsupported position• If optimum positioning not possible• Aim above victim and lower ladder to

meet victim• Extension locks should be seated

Raising the Aerial Device to a Victim

(Continued)



(Continued)


DISCUSSION QUESTION

Why should the aerial device be lowered to meet the victim?


Discuss positioning the aerial device for rescue from a window or roof.



• Area of window opening is not diminished

• Aerial ladder – First rung even with windowsill

• Aerial platform – Top rail even with windowsill

Positioning Aerial Device for Rescue From a Window


Positioning Aerial Ladder for Rescue from a Window


Positioning Aerial Platform for Rescue from a Window


• Tip of aerial ladder should be placed at least 6 feet (2 m) above edge of roof

• Platforms should be placed so that bottom of platform is just above and over edge of roof

• Balconies with railings or roofs with parapet walls

Positioning Aerial Device for Rescue From a Roof


Positioning Aerial Ladder for Rescue From a Roof


Positioning Aerial Platform for Rescue From a Roof


Positioning with a Parapet Wall


Discuss using an aerial device to remove victims from elevated positions.



• After aerial device is properly positioned• Techniques vary depending on type of

aerial device and age or condition of victims

Removing Victims From Elevated Posit ions Using Aerial Devices


• Include at least one and preferably two firefighters

• Small children and adults incapable of climbing down by themselves will have to be carried or supported

Moving Victims Down Aerial Ladders


Infants and Children


Knee-Sit Method


DISCUSSION QUESTION

In what ways is the knee-sit method advantageous?


Unconscious or Severely Injured Victims


Over-the-Shoulder Method


• Easier than backing down aerial ladder• Slower and not suited for mass

evacuations• Removal of conscious victims• Victims jumping into platform

Moving Victims in Aerial Platforms


• Number of passengers determined by load capacity and space inside platform

• One firefighter lowers aerial device to ground to unload victims

• Second firefighter remains at loading point

Lowering Passengers Into Platform

(Continued)


Lowering Passengers Into Platform


• Requires a minimum of two firefighters• If victim is not in on a litter or Stokes

basket, lay victim on floor of platform• If victim is in a basket-type litter or

Stokes, may be laid on floor or across platform railings

• Some manufacturers have rated Stokes cradles in platforms

Removal of Unconscious Victims


• For unconscious or injured victims• Last resort; first attempt to carry litter

down stairwell, fire escape, or move it to a safe place of refuge until conditions improve

Lowering a Stokes Litter Using an Aerial Ladder


Method 1 – Slide Basket Down Ladder


Method 2 – Rope Lowering System


Photo by Ted Boothroyd

Move victims down an aerial ladder raised to an elevated location.

Objective 5 is measured in Skill Sheet 10-1.



Use an aerial platform to remove victims from an elevated location.




Lower a Stokes litter using an aerial ladder.




Identify general safety issues associated with using aerial apparatus for water rescue.



Aerial Devices for Water Rescues


• Lack of suitable location to stabilize apparatus

• Potential for aerial device to make contact with swiftly moving water

• Seriously overloads the aerial device

Safety Issues


Discuss using aerial apparatus at aircraft rescue incidents.



• Limited role; usually serves as support apparatus

• Rescuing victims• Gain access to aircraft crashed in trees,

electric wires, or other elevated locations

Aircraft Rescue

(Continued)


Aircraft Rescue


Discuss using aerial apparatus for below-grade operations.



• Operations in locations below level on which apparatus is parked

• May not be possible for all aerial devices

• Special rescues• Three-boom articulating platform• Deploy master streams

Below-Grade Operations


Describe using aerial apparatus for exposure protection.



• Exposure – Structure or separate part of fireground to which fire may spread

• Radiated heat – Heat movement in all directions in the form of energy waves

• Convection – Heat travel through heat-circulating medium

Exposure Protection


Radiant Heat


Convection


• Weather• Building construction• Spacing between fire building and

exposure• Intensity of fire

Conditions Affecting Exposure Hazards


• Applying large fog streams into thermal column

• Reduces burning embers igniting other structures

• Performed with one or two nozzles

Protection From Convection Fire Spread


• Creates challenges• Positioned for effective, safe stream

placement and maximum coverage of exposure and fire building

• Cannot be put into situations where measures must protect apparatus itself

• Always have straight forward exit route

Positioning to Provide Exposure Protection


• Wide sweeping nozzle patterns • Streams should not be rotated beyond

safe limits• Do not operate elevated streams in

natural ventilation openings• Stream type depends on fire condition

Exposure Protection Operations

(Continued)


• Fog pattern allows maximum coverage, but may not work due to variety of conditions

• Straight and solid streams


(Continued)




(Continued)

Describe aerial apparatus-assisted ventilation operations.



• Important, should never monopolize apparatus or manpower needed for rescue

• Aerial device should never be used as THE ventilation tool

• Not to be used as a battering ram or forcible entry tool

Venti lation


• With aerial ladder– Extend fly section so that a minimum of 6

feet (2 m) protrudes over edge of roof– Before exiting, firefighters should check the

integrity of the roof by sounding it

Using Aerial Device to Put Firefighters on Roof

(Continued)


DISCUSSION QUESTION

Why must the aerial device be placed so far over the edge of the roof?


• With elevating platform– Platform should be positioned even with or

slightly over roof’s edge– Parapet walls may require small roof

ladder as means to get from device to roof

Using Aerial Device to Put Firefighters on Roof


• If firefighters cannot operate on roof• Break upper-story windows• Positioned slightly above window and

slightly to upwind side• If wind is blowing across face of

building, windows on downwind portion of building should be taken out first

Aerial Device for Horizontal or Cross Venti lation

(Continued)


Aerial Device for Horizontal or Cross Venti lation


Discuss operating elevated master streams.



• May include remote controls

• May be equipped with video cameras

Aerial Ladders with Piped Waterways and Water Towers


• Place firefighters at tip in danger• Being used less and less• IFSTA recommends that these devices

be operated from turntable or ground level using ropes attached to nozzle

Aerial Ladders with Detachable Waterways

(Continued)


Aerial Ladders with Detachable Waterways


• Only one firefighter on top of fly when changing stream pattern

• Avoid sudden movement or surges in pressure

• Shut down flow slowly to avoid stress on aerial device

Safety Principles for Aerial Ladders with Detachable Waterway

(Continued)


• Always locate supply hose in center of ladder

• Turntable movement should be smooth and slow when rotating turntable to direct ladder pipe stream

• Use 75-80-80 rule of thumb


(Continued)


• Use ladder pipes perpendicular to rungs on older units, maximum lateral movement of 15 degrees to either side

• Do not use a hoseline and nozzle strapped to a ladder as a ladder pipe

• Always follow any specific operating guidelines that the aerial device manufacturer provides



75-80-80


• Preferable if one or more firefighters need to be placed at position where elevated master stream is going to be deployed

• Safer standing position• May include piped breathing air

systems

Elevating Platforms

(Continued)


• Include protective water curtain nozzle beneath platform

• Many have control panels to allow firefighters at tip to move device

Elevating Platforms


Identify the advantages of using fog nozzles vs. straight stream for elevated fire attack.



• Wider coverage than solid streams• Able to break up water to effect better

steam conversion• Drawbacks• Best applications

Fog Stream Nozzles

(Continued)


Fog Stream Nozzles


Courtesy of District Chief Chris Mickal, New Orleans (LA) FD Photo Unit

• Provide excellent penetration into fire areas

• Provide power needed to reach seat of fire

• Not as affected by wind conditions

Solid Stream Nozzles

(Continued)


• Not as effective for rapid steam conversion

• Reach longer distances than fog streams

• Best applications


(Continued)




Courtesy of District Chief Chris Mickal, New Orleans (LA) FD Photo Unit

• Regardless of nozzle type, nozzle MUST be provided rated flow and pressure

• All nozzles lose some effectiveness when not discharging rated flow

Flow and Pressure


Distinguish between characteristics of elevated stream blitz attacks and defensive operations.



• Making attack from exterior with large bore fire stream to attack fire on the inside and immediately stop progress of fire in area of origin

• Made with elevated master stream if conditions are right

Blitz Attacks


• Deflect water off ceiling of fire room• Position aerial device so that nozzle is

even with bottom of window• Water enter room at angle of about 30°• Water will hit ceiling and highest parts

of fire area

Blitz Attack Best Practices

(Continued)


Blitz Attack Best Practices


• Exterior attack with emphasis on exposure protection

• Objective – Contain fire within specified area

• Indicators of potential defensive attack• Stream use

Defensive Operations

(Continued)


• Care taken not to push fire to uninvolved areas

• Position apparatus on unburned side of building

• May require more than one elevated master stream

Defensive Operations


Deploy and operate an elevated master stream.




Identify advantages and disadvantages of using the aerial device as an exterior standpipe to upper floors.



• Eliminates difficult hose lays up interior stairwells

• Necessary if building does not have an operable standpipe system

• Effective tactic for certain types of fires• Provide interior handlines

Improvised Standpipe Operations


Discuss elevated foam streams.



• Can be used on flammable and combustible liquid fires

• Not practical to discharge aerated foam through elevated master stream

Using Aerial Apparatus to Apply Foam Streams


• Provides faster knockdown than aerated foam

• Less ability to form thick blanket• Same physical characteristics as plain

water streams• Must use fog nozzle

Using Aerial Device to Discharge Nonaerated Foam Streams

(Continued)


• Nozzle may be set on any pattern that is effective

• Must use either aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) or film forming fluoroprotein (FFFP) concentrates

Using Aerial Device to Discharge Nonaerated Foam Streams


Identify foam application methods and their characteristics.



• Directs foam stream on ground near front edge of a burning liquid pool

• Foam rolls across surface of fuel• Continue to apply foam until spread

across entire surface of fuel and fire is extinguished

Roll-On Method

(Continued)


• May be necessary to move stream back and forth to different positions along edge of spill to cover entire pool

• Used only on a pool of liquid fuel on the open ground

• Least commonly used by aerial apparatus

Roll-On Method

(Continued)


Roll-On Method


• Elevated object is near or within area of a burning pool of liquid or an unignited liquid spill

• Foam stream directed off object• Direct stream off various points around

fuel area • Used primarily in diked spill areas or

overturned transport vehicles

Bank-Down Method

(Continued)


Bank-Down Method


• Used when other two methods are not feasible

• Primary manual application used on above ground storage tanks

• Directs stream into air above fire or spill

Rain-Down Method

(Continued)


• Small fires, sweep stream back and forth

• Large fires, direct stream at one location

Rain-Down Method


Rain-Down Method


Summary

• The aerial apparatus driver/operator is a very important part of the effort to mitigate the dangers of fire, rescue, and other emergency calls of service.

(Continued)


• Under working conditions, the driver/operator must know the manufacturer’s limitations of the aerial apparatus and the aerial device and be prepared to make adjustments for adverse conditions to ensure safe fireground operations.

Summary


Review Questions

1. What type of operation is always the first priority on the fireground?2. What is always the best position for an aerial device when being raised to a victim?3. When should an adult be carried or supported while traveling down a ladder?

(Continued)


Review Questions

4. Why shouldn’t victims be allowed to jump into the aerial platform?5. In what common scenarios are aerial apparatus called upon to assist personnel who are working a water rescue emergency?

(Continued)


6. What role may aerial apparatus play in aircraft rescue and fire fighting (ARFF) incidents?7. What is the importance of exposure protection?8. What condition may impede the effectiveness of a fog stream as exposure protection?

Review Questions

(Continued)


9. Why are video cameras sometime placed on water tower devices? 10. What are some indicators of a potential defensive attack?

Review Questions


chapter 10

Education

aerial apparatus strategies

aerial devicerescue

aerial device rescues

diminishedaerial ladder

lower ladder

weight limitations of

windowsillaerial platform

victim removal priorities