ao-ad unit 41 nys department of state office of fire prevention & control apparatus operator...

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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