AO-AD Unit 4 1 NYS Department of State Office of Fire Prevention & Control APPARATUS OPERATOR AERIAL DEVICE Outreach Training Course 79
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NYS Department of StateOffice of Fire Prevention & Control
APPARATUS OPERATOR AERIAL DEVICEOutreach Training Course 79
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Unit 4 Aerial Device Operations
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Objectives
At the completion of this unit the Apparatus Operator will
Learn to operate Aerial Apparatus utilizing information from past units to safely: Inspect, Transport Setup and stabilize, Operate the apparatus Perform risk analysis for ongoing Aerial
operations
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Objectives
The Apparatus Operator will understand the necessity of clear, concise communications
Know how to position their Apparatus at structures
Understand specific positioning and placement in relation to present and future needs
Select a site and position an aerial safely and efficiently
Understand the need for positioning or staging at fire scenes
Be able to raise and extend an aerial ladder and a tower ladder to a window and roof
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Objectives
Understand the practical applications for each type of Apparatus including these functions Rescue operations Exposure protection Ventilation Elevated fire attack Improvised standpipe operations Agricultural structures and silo
considerations.
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Introduction
The student will now apply all their learned skills to operate their Aerial Device.
Specific to the Aerial in use Learn basic operation Supplemented with hands on Every department must have their own
training program All manufacturers have their own programs
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LESSON 1 AERIAL LADDERS-
BASIC AERIAL LADDER OPERATION
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Ladder Operations
Raise & Extend as straight as possible Raise Rotate Extend Lower to target
One function or operation at a time
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Control Pedestals
Main Controls Raising and lowering the ladder Rotating the turntable Extending and retracting the ladder
sections
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Control Pedestals
Other controls Hydraulic pressure gauge Engine start button Ladder speed controls Ladder power switch Intercom controls Ladder angle and load charts or
indicators Deadman pedal and safety switches
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OPERATIONS Raise Ladder to correct
height Rotate slowly to
position Lower to target All valve movement
must be slow and uniform No jerks or high
rotation speeds Be aware of devices on
ladder tip
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Positioning ladder Cantilever
Unsupported position
No part may rest on anything
Supported Tip rest evenly on
part of the target Follow the
manufacturers recommendations
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Ladder Forces Lateral Force
Sideways force may be exerted by wind, water stream rescue attempts
Twisting Force Probably caused by
uneven loading or uneven support
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Aerial Collapses
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Control Pedestal ConfigurationLeft lever controls extension and retraction
Middle lever controls rotation
Right hand lever raises or lowers the ladder
Notice the other optional controls and gauges on the panel
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Pedestal Levers
Left lever controls extension and retraction Move in the direction you want the tip to go
Middle lever controls rotation Move lever ahead to swing to the left and back to
go right Right hand lever raises or lowers the ladder
Move lever back to go up ahead to go down Move the levers in the appropriate direction
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Tip Controls
Some tips may have electric control switches that work exactly the same
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SUMMARY
To become a skilled operator you must study and train to remain proficient and competent
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LESSON 2OPERATING AERIAL LADDERS
Training Familiarization
Control location must be memorized and recognizable by feel alone
They should readily be able to describe every control location and action by memory alone
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Ladder Operation Release ladder
locks if necessary Remove tiller
station if necessary Install ladder pipe
if needed Checks for hazards Raises ladder
slightly above the required height
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Ladder Operation Rotate to target
Rotate slowly with no sudden stops or valve movements Stop gradually by feathering valve
Extend ladder until tip of fly is above target
Lower ladder to target Stay about 6 inches
away so ladder will not touch target when loaded
Be aware of prepiped waterways
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Ladder Operation Operator now checks
rung alignment Activate ladder locks if
so equipped Some units must
have the ladder retracted to lock it in place
Ladder may now be climbed Do not let load limits
be exceeded
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Aerial Ladder Limitations Load limitations
Elevation and extension
Cold conditions High heat High winds Grades Low angles
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Aerial Ladder Failures
Overextension & Overloading
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Watch the Master Stream in the video
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Aerial Ladder Failures Low Angle Operations
Point of Ladder Failure
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Aerial Ladder Failures
Low Angle Ladder Pipe Operation
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Aerial Ladder Failures
Low Angle Ladder Pipe Operation Failures
Shutting water off No back pressure to support ladder Some SOPs require 2 engines to
supply the device to have an uninterrupted flow
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Aerial Ladder Failures
High winds or gusts Cause ladder to twist or sway Lateral or twisting force applied to
unit The truss fails Older units may be supported by
guy lines during high winds
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Aerial Ladder Failures
Winter Operations Cold Temperatures Rain & Freezing Rain Sleet & Snow Problems Ice & Snow buildup Physical property of
ladder changes with the low ambient temperature
Lubrication may help ice buildup
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Aerial Ladder Failures Exposure to Fire Avoid direct
contact Clean smoke and
soot particles If exposed Re-
inspect ladder
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Returning to Service
Scan the area Drain the hose(s) or waterway if used
for master stream operations Reduces weight and pressure on system
Disengage all ladder locks and safety devices
Older ladder may have to be extended to release ladder locks
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Returning to Service Retract ladder fully and carefully to
stops Be sure it is not resting on any support
Check for hazards and rotate ladder back to cradle alignment
Lower ladder to bed checking alignment arrows or indicator lights
Bed ladder per aerial specs Reposition Tiller station
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Returning to Service
Activate diverter valve Raise and or Retract stabilizers, jacks,
or outriggers Disengage PTO Walk around and visually check unit Ready for transport
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Summary
Know your apparatus. Practice with your apparatus as much
as possible Never allow personnel on the ladder
when retracting the ladder Make all control inputs slowly and
smoothly Keep rotation speeds to a minimum
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Summary
Always be aware of obstructions and changing conditions
Avoid low angles if possible Do not exceed load or angle
limitations Engage all safety devices supplied Maintain and test your ladder per
manufacturer’s policy
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LESSON 3AERIAL LADDER TACTICS
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Basic Tactical Skills
Rescue operations Exposure protection Ventilation Elevated fire attack Improvised standpipe operations Agricultural silo considerations
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Rescue Operations
Deploy apparatus Victims in panic state Properly position ladder at roof or
window Raise & Rotate & tip above victims Safely Lower & Extend tip to victims
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Rescue Operations Window
4-6 inches off sill with top rung even with sill
Roof 4-6 inches off roof
with approximately 6 feet of ladder over roof for safe mounting
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Exposure Protection Placement
Considerations Wind direction Wind speed Building placement
and type Master Stream
Operation Aerial ladders
Ladder pipes Waterways
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Ladder Pipes Operations Ladder pipe to be
set up before aerial is in position
Ladder should be moved as little as possible
During use consider nozzle reaction forces
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Ventilation
Deploy the Aerial Consider wind
direction Roof type Roof materials Tools needed
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Elevated Fire Attack
Same mode of operation as exposure protection
Only a defensive posture
Positioning dependent on Fire location Fire volume
Consider building type and construction for possible collapse
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Improvised Standpipe Operations
Any Aerial Device may be used Same mode of operation as exposure protection or
elevated fire attack Remove the nozzle
from master stream Attach a hose line Put into position at
window or roof Begin operation
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Agricultural Silo Considerations
Be aware: Silos are unique structures Normally we do not flow water into
silo fires Tremendous danger of collapse Not designed to hold up the added
weight of water Rescue may be our greatest
challenge
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Agricultural Silo Considerations Silo Rescue Provide access for
rescuers Remove victims Operator must be
proficient Use ropes systems for
rescue Know you aerial
devices specifications and limitations
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Aerial Errors
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Unit 4
Complete