Toronto Fire Services Aerial, Ladder, Tower, And Platform Operations PDF

STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE Aerial, Ladder, Tower, And Platform Operations Date Issued: February 29, 2024 Rescinds: August 25, 2022 Section: Incident and Emergency Operations File Code: G-AERI PURPOSE To provide all Toronto Fire Services (TFS) personnel with a guideline for the operation, position...

STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE Aerial, Ladder, Tower, And Platform Operations Date Issued: February 29, 2024 Rescinds: August 25, 2022 Section: Incident and Emergency Operations File Code: G-AERI PURPOSE To provide all Toronto Fire Services (TFS) personnel with a guideline for the operation, positioning, and tactical use of aerial, tower, and platform ladders. RESPONSIBILITY All TFS personnel are responsible for understanding proper apparatus deployment, operations, and limitations. Company Officers are responsible for ensuring proper positioning and safe operation of apparatus, and for ensuring crew members have been trained to operate the apparatus. District Chiefs shall ensure that personnel adhere to this guideline. The Incident Commander (IC) is responsible for requesting and utilizing apparatus at an incident. GUIDELINES 1. Positioning an Aerial, Ladder, Tower, or Platform Personnel positioning an aerial device should be aware that at most incidents, only one opportunity exists for the most effective positioning of the device. The proper distance from buildings/obstacles varies and depends on the required height and the use of the apparatus. The collapse zone of the structure shall be a consideration when positioning the apparatus. Position apparatus to its best advantage while considering the positioning/passage of subsequent arriving apparatus. Position apparatus to its best advantage for access, rescue, improvised standpipe and/or master stream operations, ideally being able to access two sides of the structure. Water supply shall always be a consideration when positioning apparatus. File Code: G-AERI Page 1 of 5  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE Ensure apparatus is positioned to provide sufficient clearance to avoid sewers and catch basins. Ensure apparatus is positioned to provide sufficient clearance so that stabilizers may be deployed fully, if possible. Ensure apparatus is not positioned over an area where the weight of the apparatus could exceed load limits (i.e., underground parking garages). Ensure apparatus is positioned on a level, solid footing, if possible. Stabilizer pads shall be utilized in conjunction with the stabilizers. Pins shall be utilized, if equipped, in conjunction with the stabilizers. 2. Operations A minimum of two firefighters are required to set up or bed any aerial device. The driver of the apparatus is responsible for performing the setup operations and the 2nd firefighter is responsible for ensuring that proper procedures are followed. Personnel shall follow general practices for safe operation of all apparatus stabilizers as per TFS SOG’s and manufacturer specifications. NOTE: Water Tower apparatus shall be no further than 30m (100 ft. - two hose lengths) from a supply source. A second intake line shall be secured as soon as possible to maximize water supply if over 30m (100 ft.). When an aerial or ladder apparatus is equipped with a Dual Position Waterway, strict adherence to TFS procedures and manufacturers specifications shall be followed. Switching between Rescue Mode and Water Tower Mode shall only occur at a minimum 20° ladder angle with a drained waterway, fully retracted ladder, and visual confirmation that the monitor carriage locks are engaged. All of these conditions SHALL be met, prior to extending the ladder. Apparatus equipped with a Dual Position Waterway shall only flow water in Water Tower Mode. File Code: G-AERI Page 2 of 5  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE During Water Tower operations aerial ladders shall only be extended as far as necessary for accurate water penetration to the target. Extending the aerial to unnecessary heights is counterproductive. TFS apparatus with waterway capabilities are equipped with both smooth bore and combination nozzles. Operators shall be aware that straight streams are much more effective for fire penetration and suppression capabilities, while fog streams may be used for exposure protection and decon. The Bresnan Distributor and Hose Kit is designed to be used with an elevated waterway (apparatus with the “Elevated Water Supply” attribute) so that water may be applied to areas that are out of reach of hand lines or too dangerous for crews to operate hand lines from (see EN 106.3). This kit is currently carried on specified Aerial, Ladder, Tower, and Platform apparatus. When an apparatus ladder is being used for roof operations, it should be extended 1 – 2 meters above the edge of the roof. Aerial devices shall not be left raised if no use exists. When aerial operations have been completed, the aerial device should be bedded. For optimum safe climbing angles, the ladder should be positioned no greater than 70 degrees. The operator at the turntable shall position the aerial as accurately as possible to the desired location. Creeper Controls may be enabled by the turntable operator and activated by a firefighter at the tip for final adjustments of the ladder placement. NOTE: Creeper Controls shall not be enabled at the turntable unless the firefighter at the tip is appropriately secured with a safety belt attached to a rung and with the footplates in use. Under no circumstances will another firefighter be permitted on the ladder while the Creeper Controls are in use. The Operator at the turntable shall not raise, rotate, or extend an aerial ladder, using the turntable controls with any person aboard the ladder. Personnel shall climb the aerial ladder when it is in the desired position. NOTE: Firefighters shall not ride the ladder while it is being raised from the bed. File Code: G-AERI Page 3 of 5  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE Before climbing an aerial ladder, all rungs shall be aligned for safer ascent. Personnel operating from an aerial apparatus shall be secured by a TFS approved Fall Prevention Device. TFS uses two types of Safety Belts which are both approved for aerial use. The Standard Aerial Safety Belt with pompier hook and the Standard Aerial Safety Belt with pompier hook and 46 cm (18 in) lanyard. (Refer to Equipment Note 808.5 and Training Note 202.1) Apparatus ladders shall never be in contact with a structure. Safety shall never be compromised by overloading a ladder device. NOTE: The operator at the turntable shall not reposition the aerial when any firefighter is on the ladder unless the firefighter at the tip is incapacitated. NOTE: When water tower operations are being conducted in limited visibility, a ground spotter should be utilized when the water tower stream is being repositioned near the edges of the fire building when there is a chance the water stream could miss its intended target striking firefighting crews in the vicinity. Depending on conditions and timing of repositioning, the ISO may be assigned this role. Apparatus equipped with Valve Under Monitor (VUM) enables the waterway to be used as an improvised standpipe. When using the VUM with a hose line the TFS Standpipe Kit gate and pressure gauge shall be used in line at a hose coupling before the nozzle. NOTE: Daily and post-use inspections shall ensure that the waterway valve is left FULLY open in the waterway position as opposed to the VUM position, so that water tower operation can commence at an incident without delay. File Code: G-AERI Page 4 of 5  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE 3. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS All wires shall be considered live. NOTE: Clearance of 3 meters (10 feet) for overhead wires shall be maintained. NOTE: Clearance of 1 meter (3.3 feet) for TTC streetcar power lines shall be maintained. All ground personnel shall halt contact with the vehicle while the ladder or boom is being repositioned. Caution must be taken to never provide a ground for an electrical circuit. All electrical safety guidelines shall be followed when operating an aerial device. ATTACHMENT(S) N/A RELATED SOGS A-AERI(I) – Aerial Apparatus – Inspection, Testing and Maintenance A-AER(T) – Aerial Apparatus Training E-FALL – Fall Prevention Devices G-POSA – Positioning Apparatus G-RELA – Relay Pumping Operations G-RFTA – Responsibilities of the First Three Arriving Apparatus G-ROOF – Roof Operations File Code: G-AERI Page 5 of 5