5 Alarm Houston Fire with Rescue- Know Your Ladders

Video from the 5 alarm Houston apartment fire (under construction).  The ladder truck backed in giving them just enough to reach the victim.

Think about plan B.  How high would your tallest ground ladder reach?  Remember that in this case we only need the make the bottom of the balcony.  Go to an apartment in your first in a throw some ladders and set the aerial to see what you can reach.

My driver a few years ago had us throw ground ladders after a medical call to see if we could reach the third floor balcony in an awkward spot.  About a month later, with him in charge, we had a rescue in the exact situation and we all knew we could reach it.

Over the shoulder 24' throw.avi

Love just getting out and throwing ladders.

Cheetsheet for training on Ladders add to it for me.

Ladders cheetsheet

Techniques

Beam vs. Flat

Points of contact with the ground

Estimating height of throw ¼ height of throw = how many feet away

Continuous loop

Hand vs halyard I can get 7 rungs

Painting tips

Carrying point vs throwing point

Overcoming ladder in front of you

Rolling and dragging ladders That’s why beam raise preferable where do your ground ladders get that your truck won’t.

Set ladders for rescue

Climbing ladders ( smooth, knees inside, hands behind beams, look up)

AMLAP as many ladders as possible look up Boston fire there scene’s are covered in ladders.