Aerial Apparatus Operator Strategies and Tactics

IFSTA Fire Department Aerial Apparatus Chapter 8

Common Uses of Aerial Equipment Rescue Exposure Protection Ventilation Elevated Streams

Rescue First Priority Remove Victims In Order of Priority 1st-most severely threatened 2nd-largest number 3rd-remainder in fire area 4th-people in exposed area Rescue is first priority on fire ground use of aerial last resort for removal of victims from upper floors interior stairway should be used whenever possible Victims should be removed in the following order of priority First Priority - most severely threatened typically those on or above the fire floor additional consideration should be given to those in a panic state Second priority - largest number Third priority - remainder of people in fire area removed in descending order of numbers Fourth priority - people in exposed area

Rescue Raising aerial to victim aim high then lower to victim Rescue from window ladder tip inside or platform against building Rescue from roof ladder tip 3 feet above roof bottom of platform just above edge Raising Aerial to Victim Perpendicular to objective supported unsupported Aim above, then lower to victim Positioning for rescue from a window Ladder tip placed just inside windowsill first rung even with seal Aerial platform should be placed against building top rail even with windowsill Positioning for rescue from a roof Ladder tip extends 3 feet beyond the edge Bottom of platform just above edge

Exposure Protection Second Priority Place water directly on exposure Position aerial for max. coverage Use wide sweeping fog pattern Do not block ventilation openings Exposure Protection Second priority for aerial device operations Conditions that may affect exposure hazards weather rain, wind building construction spacing between fire building and exposure Best accomplished by placing water directly on exposure Position for maximum coverage may need to position to cover fire and exposures Wide sweeping fog pattern allows maximum coverage Do not block ventilation openings with streams Type of stream dependent on conditions fog pattern allows for maximum coverage straight stream in high wind or extensive heat conditions

Ventilation Third priority Position a close to work as possible Ladder roof from two sides Do not use aerial to open holes Ventilation Third priority for aerial device Placing fire fighters on roof ladder extends 3 to 6 feet over edge of roof platform positioned even with or over edge Position as close to work as possible Ladder roof from two different sides Do not use aerial device to open ventilation holes

Elevated Streams Fourth priority Ladder placed between 70 and 80 degrees safest position allows for excellent penetration Nozzle reaction elevated stream will cause a force in opposite direction Elevated streams Fourth priority for aerial device ladder placed between 70 and 80 degrees safest position and allows excellent stream penetration Nozzle reaction elevated master stream will cause force in direction opposite to the aim of the stream

Elevated Streams Movement restricted to 15* swing No more than one person on ladder Fire fighters should be secured Avoid sudden surge or movement Most ladder pipes restrict movement to a 15 degree swing in either direction No more than one person on ladder during ladder pipe operations Fire fighters should be secured on ladder during ladder pipe operations Avoid sudden movement or surge

75-80-85 Rule Rule of thumb for elevated streams 75 degree elevation 80% extended length 85 psi nozzle pressure Use the 75-80-85 rule of thumb for quick ladder pipe use 75 degree elevation 80% extended length 85 psi nozzle pressure Follow manufacturers recommendation for lateral nozzle movement 15 degrees to either side for older models 180 degree sweep capability for newer models

Offensive Operations Conditions must be just right No personnel or victims in building Apparatus positioned close to building Usually conducted on upper floors Position nozzle close to bottom of window bounce stream off ceiling flow long enough to blacken fire Offensive operations with elevated streams Conditions must be just right No personnel or victims in building Apparatus positioned close to building Usually conducted on upper floors Position nozzle even with bottom of window Bounce stream off ceiling Flow long enough to blacken fire Danger of collapse water adds one ton for each 250 gpm flow streams only long enough to blacken the fire

Defensive Operations Most common use of elevated stream Exterior attack with emphasis on exposure protection To contain fire Conditions indicate type of stream Do not push fire to uninvolved areas Defensive Operations with Elevated Streams Most common use of elevated stream surround and drown Exterior attack with emphasis on exposure protection To contain fire within a specific area Conditions will indicate type of stream used solid stream most common if conditions allow a fog may be used to blacken large areas Care should be taken not to push fire to uninvolved areas if possible position apparatus on unburned side of building