Ch 7 pg 157-165

A coordinated effort between the main attack team and supporting personnel is needed for a successful interior attack.

Using ladder trucks primarily for transporting personnel instead of critical tasks like victim removal, ventilation, or fire containment can hinder response.

Quickly and safely removing victims is crucial in fire incidents to save lives.

Early detection and containment of fire spread to interior voids prevents the engine company from effectively taking control.

Quick ventilation allows hose lines to reach the fire, thereby improving extinguishing efforts.

A detailed plan outlining roles, locations, tools, and duties for a ladder company during fire operations.

A plan establishes accountability by outlining each person's tasks, preventing confusion and ensuring everyone knows what is expected of them.

While a plan helps prepare for common scenarios, understanding variations in building design and past fire events is important for adapting to unexpected fireground situations.

A plan should detail the number of personnel, tools, and specific roles for each area of responsibility during fire operations.

Learning from fire events in post-war housing developments can help firefighters understand common building designs and create effective operational plans.

The process of gaining access to a building or area that's locked or blocked, usually by using tools like a Halligan bar.

A versatile tool used for forcible entry, combining a hook, a prying adz, and a forceful wedge.

A heavy, flat-bladed axe used for chopping, driving, and creating openings in structures.

A tool with a hook or pole used to extend reach, pull down ceilings, or dislodge objects.

Distributing firefighting tools strategically among teams, ensuring enough for each location without duplication.

Pairing up firefighters for safety and support, especially during interior operations.

Firefighters assigned to work inside the building during fire suppression.

A fire fighting strategy that involves creating openings in a structure to release smoke and heat.

Keeping track of the location and status of each firefighter during an operation.

Monitoring the progress and location of firefighters during an operation.

Firefighters with insufficient training or experience should not be assigned tasks requiring independent work or situations with potential risks.

Firefighters working alone must carry portable radios to communicate their location and request help when needed.

A firefighting plan should cover different scenarios within the response area, considering varied roles (e.g., pumper vs. truck) and outlining actions for each.

Firefighting plans should be optimized to avoid unnecessary repetition of tasks, ensuring efficient use of resources.

Tools and personnel should be readily available for forcible entry operations, especially in situations involving full ceilings and open spaces.

Ladder companies are crucial in firefighting, especially in large buildings, responsible for tasks like ventilation, rescue, and access for hose lines.

A well-structured plan for a ladder company considers the necessary personnel, their experience levels, and the ability to adapt to different situations.

Experience is vital for ladder company members as they often operate without direct supervision, requiring sound judgment and decision-making ability.

An effective ladder company plan includes a core strategy for common situations, but also flexibility to adjust to unexpected events or building complexities.

This bulletin serves as an excellent example of a comprehensive guide for ladder company operations, specifically relevant to the New York City Fire Department.

A New York City ladder company operates with a 5-firefighter, 1-officer team, emphasizing a coordinated, orchestra-like approach, led by the officer.

The primary goal is to quickly reach victims in a potential house fire (the most common scenario) assuming they are trapped or unaware, prioritizing rescue over other tasks.

The brain can only survive without oxygen for a few minutes, making rapid victim removal a life-or-death priority.

The plan prioritizes safety and speed, but also allows for adaptation to unexpected scenarios and challenging conditions encountered on the fireground.

The plan outlines the specific duties for each member of the team, ensuring accountability, and preventing confusion while responding to an emergency.

The Interior Search Team consists of the officer and 2 firefighters.

The Rear Team uses a portable ladder to access upstairs bedrooms and search/ventilate those rooms.

The Roof Firefighter monitors personnel and works at the front of the building on the second floor, performing VEIS (vent, enter, isolate, search) on front bedrooms.

An acronym standing for Vent, Enter, Isolate, and Search, this process is crucial for the Roof Firefighter in dealing with front second floor bedrooms.

During a fire, bedrooms and escape routes (egress) receive the highest priority for search and rescue, as statistics show they're the most likely locations for victims.

The interior team focuses on searching for victims, especially in bedrooms, using ladders, roof access, or fire escapes to gain immediate access.

Members assigned to the exterior team have specific roles, like the chauffeur, who prepares tools like an axe and halligan, and the roof firefighter, equipped with a hook and halligan.

The FDNY fire plan takes into account past fire experiences, statistical data, time of day considerations, and the prioritization of victims to create a comprehensive and effective plan.

The plan prioritizes the safety of team members by optimizing escape routes and minimizing extended exposure to severe interior conditions to ensure they can effectively carry out their rescue mission.

Locating and saving living victims is the most important objective, even over roof ventilation.

A minimum of two firefighters form the initial team to assist the attack team and begin searching.

Roof ventilation is a secondary task and should only be done if absolutely necessary for fire suppression.

Creating openings outside the roof helps control the fire and allows firefighters to move through the building easier.

Using multiple small teams instead of one large team can improve the chances of finding victims.

Assigning duties to positions (like chauffeur or operator) rather than specific individuals allows flexibility in changing personnel based on time of day or needs.

An interior team must have at least a Halligan tool, flat-head axe, pike pole, lighting, and a portable radio for effective fire suppression.

If a fire is inaccessible from the outside, an outside team might be assigned to the roof or the next floor, depending on the building type.

If the fire is inaccessible from the outside, the interior team should be assigned and equipped appropriately for a safe and effective response.

The procedures are designed for one- and two-family homes, but they should be adapted to the specific conditions observed at each fire scene.

Placing ladders for the sake of it is inefficient. Ladders should be positioned strategically based on the fire's location and needs, like access for rescue, ventilation, or creating escape routes.

Portable ladders can be used instead of aerial equipment when vehicle access is limited. They provide access, rescue routes, escape routes, and ventilation, simplifying firefighting tasks.

Factors like reach, weight, length, construction material, and the number of firefighters needed influence ladder selection. The right ladder makes firefighting more efficient and faster.

Correct ladder placement can save lives, prevent fire spread, and make tasks easier. It's essential for efficient fire response.

Even when responding with a pumper, ladder, or rescue unit, firefighters are likely to use portable ladders for specific tasks, making it necessary to be proficient in their use.

The most critical factor in choosing a ladder is its length. Even the safest ladder is useless if it can't reach the fire or the victim.

A building layout assessment is essential to determine if shorter ladders suffice. Just because aerial devices are available, doesn't mean longer ladders are unnecessary.

Raising ladders can require multiple firefighters. A standard ladder needs 5, while a wooden ladder needs 6. Plan ahead and be ready to assist.

Choosing the right ladder influences firefighting efficiency. Factors like length, weight, and construction influence the choice and can speed up rescue or fire suppression.

Even with aerial devices, portable ladders remain crucial. They're used for access, rescue routes, escape routes, and ventilation in challenging situations.