BY DANNY STRATTON
All suppression personnel-whether on an engine; a squad; a rescue; or, certainly, a truck company-should have the knowledge, skills, and ability to operate ground ladders. Ladders mounted on anything other than a ladder truck tend to get the least attention. Personnel on a fireground should be mindful of ladders other than those on the truck or quint in front of the fire structure. The next closest rig may be a pumper with a 24-foot extension and a 14-foot roof ladder for providing access at higher elevations. The placement of ladders provides access and egress for firefighters, points for conducting ventilation techniques, and an avenue to rescue a civilian or a distressed firefighter from a high elevation. The street-level firefighter must be savvy with ground ladders to provide expeditious and efficient operation for citizen service and fire personnel egress.
A street-smart firefighter knows how to efficiently operate ground ladders so they will complement other fire service operations. The advances in personal harnesses and escape systems for egress from upper floors should not interfere with firefighters' duty to provide for egress by a ground ladder (photo 1). Ladder egress is a safer alternative than the hang-and-drop or evading-on-a-rope technique. Furthermore, in some situations, a ladder may be the best way to remove civilians.
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