1. Aerial Apparatus Operator
Strategies and Tactics

2. IFSTA Fire Department Aerial Apparatus
Chapter 8

3. Common Uses of Aerial Equipment
Rescue
Exposure Protection
Ventilation
Elevated Streams

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 75-80-85 Rule Rule of thumb for elevated streams 75 degree elevation
80% extended length
85 psi nozzle pressure
Use the 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

11. 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

12. 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