Aerial Apparatus Operator

1. Aerial Apparatus Operator Aerial Apparatus Strategies and Tactics

2. IFSTAFire Department Aerial Apparatus Chapter 8

3. Common Uses of Aerial Equipment • Rescue • Exposure Protection • Ventilation • Elevated Streams

4. Rescue • First Priority • Remove Victims In Order of Priority • 1st-most severely threatened • 2nd-largest number • 3rd-remainder in fire area • 4th-people in exposed area

5. Rescue • Raising aerial to victim • aim high then lower to victim • Rescue from window • ladder tip inside or platform against building • Rescue from roof • ladder tip 3 feet above roof • bottom of platform just above edge

6. Exposure Protection • Second Priority • Place water directly on exposure • Position aerial for max. coverage • Use wide sweeping fog pattern • Do not block ventilation openings

7. Ventilation • Third priority • Position a close to work as possible • Ladder roof from two sides • Do not use aerial to open holes

8. Elevated Streams • Fourth priority • Ladder placed between 70 and 80 degrees • safest position allows for excellent penetration • Nozzle reaction • elevated stream will cause a force in opposite direction

9. Elevated Streams • Movement restricted to 15* swing • No more than one person on ladder • Fire fighters should be secured • Avoid sudden surge or movement

10. 75-80-85 Rule • Rule of thumb for elevated streams • 75 degree elevation • 80% extended length • 85 psi nozzle pressure

11. Offensive Operations • Conditions must be just right • No personnel or victims in building • Apparatus positioned close to building • Usually conducted on upper floors • Position nozzle close to bottom of window • bounce stream off ceiling • flow long enough to blacken fire

12. Defensive Operations • Most common use of elevated stream • Exterior attack with emphasis on exposure protection • To contain fire • Conditions indicate type of stream • Do not push fire to uninvolved areas