Ladder Company Operations Manual

Question 1

The ladder operations manual outlines operations for truck companies except for

Answer 1

special operations incidents such as extrication and high
rise fires

Question 2

Ladder companies split into two crews on what kind of fires?

Answer 2

Ladder Companies at residential and multi-family structure fires split into two crews
designated as Alpha and Bravo

Question 3

What are some examples of outside truck?

Answer 3

May be assigned “Outside” functions such as alternate exits, Vent Enter Isolate Search (VEIS), ground ladder placement, RIT pack placement, utilities, and general building softening.

Question 4

What are the madatory tools to be brought to the front door by truck companies?

Answer 4

RIT pack or spare bottles, search rope

Question 5

What is important to know when responding as on deck?

Answer 5

The assignment shall have a designated location such as a side of a
building and or a division

Question 6

What are some factors that affect aerial apparatus placement?

Answer 6

. Factors that may
affect Ladder Company apparatus positioning are the length of the aerial apparatus at extension and retraction, access for rescue, location and extent of the fire, exposures, wind conditions, requirements for roof operations, and the need for tools and portable equipment. Barriers such as trees, overhead wires, fences, hedges, terraces, and motor
vehicles may also affect placement.

Question 7

What is the priority of the ladder company?

Answer 7

rescue of trapped occupants

Question 8

Where should the ladder company stage on two unit response fire alarms where the ladder arrives second

Answer 8

by the hydrant

Question 9

What is the first objective at structure fires and should be strongly considered
at each fire when determining risk and rewards

Answer 9

protection of human life

Question 10

What are the minimum pieces of equipment search crews should carry?

Answer 10

shall carry hand lights, forcible entry tools, and a thermal imaging camera
(TIC)

Question 11

What considerations should be made when deciding to search with a hose or rope?

Answer 11

Is a hose line currently operating at the seat of the fire?

 Can the team assigned to a hose line protect the search crews’ means of egress?

 Is the layout or size of the area to be searched such that orientation can easily be
maintained by following the wall and/or using the TIC?

 Is it unlikely the fire has not or will not extend to the area you intend to search?

Conducting a search using a hose line or search rope is strongly recommended if
the answer to any of the above questions is no.

Question 12

The search plan should take into consideration what 3 things?

Answer 12

the severity of the fire, the life hazards, and the layout of the building

Question 13

What are the locations of victim rescue priorities?

Answer 13

Fire floor/unit
floor/unit above
Top floor working down

Question 14

Any victims located may be

Answer 14

removed to a safe area within the building or may be taken
outside

Question 15

What should be used when removing victims whenever possible

Answer 15

using interior stairs

Question 16

How can search crews provide firefighter safety?

Answer 16

looking for primary escape routes such as stairs, corridors, lobbies, and other common
areas

Question 17

What should be done by the IC when an all clear is confirmed?

Answer 17

re-evaluate the risk/reward of the current operations since operations have
transitioned and are now focused on saving property.

Question 18

When should crews be assigned to conduct a secondary search?

Answer 18

After a fire is reported as UNDER CONTROL

Question 19

What is the critical factor for secondary search?

Answer 19

Thoroughness, rather than time

The secondary search is a slow and methodical check of the entire
structure to locate all victims that may not have been found in the primary search

Question 20

What should conditions be like when performing a secondary search?

Answer 20

heat and smoke conditions should be light enough to allow crews to walk
rather than crawl

Question 21

What type of search does not need to be relayed to dispatch

Answer 21

secondary

Question 22

At large occupancies, multiple dwellings, and structures that by size or complexity may
lead to confusion or duplication by searchers, doors shall be marked to indicate search
status. What are the two markings?

Answer 22

An “X” indicates a primary search has been completed. “
” – (circle around “X”) Indicates a secondary search has been completed.

Question 23

What is a tertiary search?

Answer 23

A tertiary search is the physical removal of all materials from the building in an effort to
sift through each area. Care shall be taken to assure debris is controlled and all material
is photographed before and after removal. The Incident Commander should consider the
use of Police, CSS personnel, and trained dogs in these types of searches.

Question 24

When is a tertiary search completed?

Answer 24

On occasion, the Incident Commander may receive information of a known victim that has not been located during the primary or secondary searches.

Question 25

When should TIC- directed, rope-assisted searches should be considered

Answer 25

Any occupancy

Question 26

When should searchers consider the use of a search rope to minimize duplication and maintain orientation

Answer 26

At buildings with large or complex layouts

Question 27

What is the benefit of using a search rope?

Answer 27

to minimize duplication and maintain orientation. This technique is especially valuable during rapid intervention operations or in situations with a known victim.

Question 28

The company assigned to search consists at a minimum of _____ members: ______

Answer 28

2 a team leader and a partner (such as personnel assigned to a medic unit)

Question 29

Where should the search rope be tied?

Answer 29

The search rope shall be tied to a substantial object remote from the operation and out of the IDLH environment

Question 30

Who sets the pace and direction of the search

Answer 30

the team leader who leads from the front

Question 31

Who is in charge of the rope bag?

Answer 31

The rope should be carried and deployed by the last person in the team to allow the leader to move about and recon without managing the rope as well However, the rope bag can be managed by any member as needed

Question 32

When should the search rope be tied off?

Answer 32

anytime the direction of the search is changed when the area cannot be viewed through the TIC or hazards/obstacles exist that will hamper direct, rapid exit from the search area to the non-IDLH environment.

Question 33

Who is in charge of air management accountability?

Answer 33

Air management and accountability during team search is maintained by the team leader or officer in charge of the search and relayed to the Division Supervisor or Incident Commander.

Question 34

Once the first member of the search team reaches amber, which is defined as _________, the officer in charge or team leader will notify the Division Supervisor or Incident Command of the need to recycle

Answer 34

(50% or 2750 psi approximately half-cylinder)

Question 35

Recycling is defined as?

Answer 35

as a timely and efficient means of air replacement and re-hydration of companies while maintaining their Division/Group assignment

Question 36

Crews and Supervisors will proactively plan and request relief teams as needed so that egress from the IDLH area occurs ______

Answer 36

prior to activation of the low air alarm

Question 37

What has narrowed our opportunity to ventilate today’s fires?

Answer 37

Changes in fire loading, building geometry, and construction techniques

Question 38

no positive pressure ventilation should take place until ______

Answer 38

the location and extent of the fire is known and controlled

Question 39

What are the considerations when using PPV attack?

Answer 39

PPA must be started before firefighters enter the structure. Pressurization should never be initiated after fire personnel are inside a structure where an active fire is present. Fire personnel should withdraw before the fan is started if found in this situation.  Proper PPA includes a designated exhaust opening.  The area near an exhaust opening can be hazardous. A fan should not be started when a victim is awaiting rescue at a potential exhaust opening. Do not use a potential exhaust opening as an entrance, such as during VEIS operations.  Do not use a blower where backdraft conditions may be present or in the presence of combustible dust or flammable vapors.  Do not enter any entrance where fire or heavy smoke is exhausting above the blower at the ventilation point.  Be aware of the potential for early collapse of lightweight construction members in the immediate area of the fire due to increases in fire temperature caused by the blower.

Question 40

When should vertical vent be considered?

Answer 40

anytime crews are faced with a fire that is actively burning inside an attic or cockloft. Roof openings should be as large as possible to provide adequate ventilation

Question 41

When should roof ladders be considered

Answer 41

for operations on any roof where extreme slopes or surface conditions present safety concerns. The first personnel reaching the roof must quickly evaluate conditions to assure the roof is structurally sound before attempting to work on it

Question 42

What must be considered before committing personnel above the fire

Answer 42

The degree and extent of any signs of weakness

Question 43

An initial roof report to Command should be made as soon as possible upon reaching the roof and should include:

Answer 43

 Type of roof (peaked, flat, etc.)  Location (firewalls, loads, or visible fire)  Conditions (fire, smoke, stability)  Actions  Needs

Question 44

What are the objectives of crews working on the roof?

Answer 44

1. Determining the structural stability of the roof and consider the safety of the interior crews as well as the roof team. a. Wind direction and effect b. Identify primary and secondary egress routes 2. Open existing openings such as skylights, hatches, and bulkheads. 6 3. Determining the need for cutting the roof. 4. Coordination of roof operations with the crews working on the interior. 5. Creating adequately sized ventilation hole(s) and achieve effective ventilation. a. Work toward egress when making openings 6. Maintaining rooftop monitoring of the structural integrity of the roof and fire conditions. 7. Once the officer believes that the fire has been effectively vented, the crew should withdraw from the roof if there are no other objectives assigned by Command. 8. A follow-up report to the IC should be made after vertical ventilation has been completed and should include: a. The effect of the ventilation (amount of smoke, fire, heat coming from the vent hole) b. Conditions in the attic c. The stability of the roof d. Any additional actions needed

Question 45

Why is forceable entry performed?

Answer 45

to provide firefighters access to the interior of the fire building for rescue or fire control activities.

Question 46

What is one of the best ways to gain access to the inside of a locked building and should be considered whenever possible.

Answer 46

Through-the-lock forcible entry

Question 47

Regardless of type of forcible entry, every effort should be made to

Answer 47

control the opening

Question 48

What should happen anytime forcible entry is used without the occupant present?

Answer 48

Law enforcement should be notified

Question 49

What activities does salvage include?

Answer 49

activities required to stop direct and indirect fire damage, in addition to those required to minimize the effects of firefighting operations

Question 50

What are the two salvage objectives?

Answer 50

Stop or reduce the source of damage Protect or remove contents

Question 51

Salvage operations most often involve

Answer 51

smoke removal and covering building contents with salvage covers or plastic.

Question 52

During salvage when removal is not practical, contents should be

Answer 52

grouped in the center of rooms, elevated from the floor, and covered to provide maximum practical protection.

Question 53

Where should salvage operations begin?

Answer 53

in areas most severely threatened by damage. In most cases, this will be areas directly next to or below the fire area. Additional salvage activities should expand outward until all areas of potential loss are secured

Question 54

What should be the primary considerations when performing salvage operations?

Answer 54

Replacement price and value

Question 55

What should be done prior to returning to the scene to pick up salvage covers?

Answer 55

Command or the Company Officer should schedule a return walk-through by the fire department to ensure post-incident damage is not occurring.

Question 56

Every effort should be made to assist the property owner/responsible party in contacting who?

Answer 56

their insurance carrier, private contractors (specializing in fire salvage), and in answering questions concerning salvage and fire operations.

Question 57

Who is responsible for controlling utilities and providing light at fire scenes?

Answer 57

ladder companies

Question 58

What is the minimum PPE for personnel on working on aerial ladders?

Answer 58

Helmet - with chin strap in place  Ladder Belt/Tether  Gloves

Question 59

When should a tether be considered?

Answer 59

Any time a firefighter must work from an aerial ladder on a roof or in a compromised position

Question 60

How many rungs of a ladder should be showing for roof operations?

Answer 60

at least five ladder rungs should show above the roofline to help firefighters locate the ladder in smoke and darkness

Question 61

What can be done if ladder position or length does not allow for five rungs?

Answer 61

a hand light may be placed at the tip of the ladder

Question 62

Secondary escape routes shall be identified when operating on roofs and may include

Answer 62

other ladders, adjoining roofs of other occupancies, or a secured lifeline.

Question 63

All ladders shall remain at least _____ feet from any energized electrical wires.

Answer 63

10

Question 64

What are hazardous conditions for ladders

Answer 64

strong winds  uneven terrain  icy or soft ground  the necessity to use a lower than desirable angle  operating hose lines from the ladder. Ladders used under these conditions should be secured at the base and at the tip with rope or webbing whenever the situation allows.

Question 65

Saw operations require a minimum crew of ______. A communication method of tapping the shoulder etc., should be established before operation commences.

Answer 65

2

Question 66

Care should be taken to see that abrasive saw blades do not become contaminated with _______

Answer 66

petroleum products.

Question 67

In certain instances, the fireground has obstacles that prohibit or slow down operations. These obstacles need to be mitigated or “softened”. Some examples are

Answer 67

Some items of concern include removing window bars, basement grates, opening fences, moving patio furniture, and other items around the structure

Question 68

Apparatus placement when using exterior streams shall consider______, and no personnel should be allowed within the _______. Additionally, the aerial device itself shall remain outside of the _________.

Answer 68

collapse zones

Question 69

How many members are allowed in the bucket when the aerial waterway is charged with water or flowing water?

Answer 69

2

Question 70

What kind of tip should be in place on aerial master streams?

Answer 70

smooth bore Use the tip required for the operation. More often than not, this is not the largest tip in the stack.

Question 71

Which nozzle is recommended to stay open and which one is recommended to stay closed on the aerial waterway each day?

Answer 71

It is recommended that the fog stream be in the open position and the smooth be in the closed position each day. This provides the opportunity to conduct unmanned aerial waterway operations without having to access the bucket.