Ladder Company Positions Manual

• This manual provides information on ladder company positions, roles, and responsibilities.
• Members must use control as dictated by rank when implementing the chapter.

General Information

• This guideline outlines the importance of assigned riding positions for safe and coordinated fireground operations.
• The objectives of establishing pre-determined duty assignments enhance the ability to manage incidents through coordination.
• The procedure relies on firefighters riding the apparatus and requires a minimum of four firefighters.
• The officer in charge is responsible and accountable for implementing this procedure and can alter riding assignments.
• Firefighters must understand ladder evolutions to develop skills for safe and efficient operation.
• Firefighters should perform functions consistently to avoid confusion on the fire ground.

Radio Designation

• Radio designations include the apparatus number and riding position.
• Using the full designation is important due to other apparatus having similar numerical designations.
• The radio designation for Rapid Intervention Ladder (RIT) responses includes "RIT" and the company assigned number.

Apparatus Placement

• First arriving ladder companies proceed to the "A" side (front) to facilitate occupant egress/rescue.
• If the "A" side cannot be laddered, the FCC and command must be notified.
• Second arriving ladder companies proceed to the "C" side (rear) for laddering and secondary egress, unless ordered otherwise.
• Rapid Intervention Team ladders proceed to the Incident Command Post, typically on the "A" side, or another location based on incident conditions.
• Highway safety companies provide protection for emergency vehicles at roadway incidents.
• A block involves parking an emergency vehicle across lanes of traffic, 50' behind the incident, to protect the work area.
• Officers should direct drivers to park upstream at an angle, considering the shoulder as a lane if applicable.
• Angled parking enhances visibility for approaching traffic.
• Apparatus parked in line with traffic are harder to recognize than those parked at an angle.
• Officers ensure all members exit and operate within the safety corridor provided by the ladder to protect them from inattentive motorists.
• Building location, along with on-scene apparatus position, can dictate ladder company position, and any compromise should be communicated to Command.
• Factors that may alter apparatus placement include overhead wires, trees, trolley tracks/wires, fully deployed outriggers, occupancy rescues, access, maximum building coverage, and the building collapse zone.

Ladder Company Riding Assignments

• Positions are assigned with corresponding expectations to ensure personnel safety and accountability.
• The Ladder Company Officer determines apparatus placement.
• Ladder Company Officers report conditions from the "C" side and identify needed resources.
• After reporting conditions, the Ladder Company Officer locates the assigned Search & Rescue member to help with the initial search and report interior conditions.
• When assigned as the RIT ladder, the officer and one member conduct a 360-degree tour.
• The Ladder Company Officer will report structural defects, rapid fire growth, or egress issues to command, as well as ensuring ground ladders are placed for firefighter rescue.

Tool Assignment for Ladder Company Officer

• Full PPE & SCBA
• Radio & Flashlight
• Forcible entry tool for Search and Rescue
• Scott Pack Tracker & CO detector (RIT)

Ladder Company Driver Responsibilities

• Responding safely to the scene
• Positioning the apparatus
• With assistance, positioning the turntable for aerial operations
• Considering outrigger placement
• Avoiding overhead obstructions
• Minimizing the need to reposition
• The Ladder Company Driver should attempt to position the truck where the aerial can be used.
• The driver helps with raising ground ladders, horizontal and vertical ventilation, and roof ventilation.
• Both the Ladder Company Driver and Tiller person maintain and inspect tools and equipment.
• The Ladder Company Driver and Tiller will report any discrepancies to the officer.

Tool Assignment for Ladder Company Driver

• Full PPE & SCBA
• Radio & Flashlight
• Fire Ax or hand tool
• K-950 Fire Rescue Saw
• Ceiling Hook (6'-8')

Ladder Company Tiller Person Responsibilities

• Assisting the driver with apparatus placement

• Aiding in gaining a vantage point due to a high seating position to see far ahead and to the rear

• When applicable, kick the trailer out to allow the ladder to be removed from the rear compartment

• Assisting with raising ground ladders and horizontal & vertical ventilation

• If the roof is opened for vertical ventilation, both the Driver and Tiller person become the roof team, and their radio designation is "L13 Roof".

Tool Assignment for Ladder Company Tiller

• Full PPE & SCBA
• Radio & Flashlight
• Fire Ax or 8Lb Flat head Axe
• Cutters Edge Fire Rescue Chain Saw
• Ceiling Hook 6'-8'

Inside Hook Responsibilities

• Assisting the Tiller person with placing extension ladders concurrently with the Ladder driver placing the main ladder
• Assisting the first due Engine Company with hose line advancement
• Using the assigned tool to open ceilings and walls to expose fire extension
• Carrying a 2 ½-gallon extinguisher that can confine fire

Tool Assignment for Inside Hook

• Full PPE & SCBA
• Radio & Flashlight
• Ceiling Hook 6’-8’
• A 2 ½-gallon pressurized water extinguisher

Search and Rescue (Pak) Responsibilities

• Using assigned forcible entry tools (Halligan bar & Axe) to force entry and initiate the primary search for life
• Utilizes a Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) to find fire extension and help search efforts
• Conducting the primary search quickly and systematically

Search Priorities

• First - Fire area/room
• Second - Adjacent areas/rooms
• Third - Floor above fire
• Fourth - Top floor
• Fifth - Remaining floors, starting with the second to top.

Using a Thermal Imaging Camera

• A TIC is important for conducting a primary search due to its ability to view the six sides of the room (four walls, ceiling, and floor).
• It helps firefighters reaffirm room layout and monitor the fire environment to locate victims.