SOG 1-05 LADDER COMPANY OPERATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS
A.Scope:
This operational guideline shall be utilized for Ladder Company Operations. Firefighters must possess the skills required to fulfill their designated riding assignment and assume that responsibility when boarding the apparatus to ensure a safe, coordinated, and effective fire ground operations.
B.Guidelines:
1. Radio Designations
a. The radio designation for all positions will be the title of the riding positions preceded by the apparatus number; i.e. Ladder 14 Irons or Ladder 14 Officer, etc.
b. It is imperative that the full designation is used and not just “14 Officer or 14 Irons” as other apparatus have the same riding assignments.
2. Apparatus Placement
a. The first arriving truck will proceed to the most accessible side of the building
b. The second arriving truck will proceed to the second most accessible side for laddering the building unless otherwise ordered.
c. The building location may dictate ladder company position An example would be Kingsway Apartments is preplanned for the 1stdue truck to take the “A” side of the building while the 2nddue truck would take the “B” side of the building.
d. Additional considerations that may alter apparatus placement could be: overhead obstructions, fully deployed outriggers, occupancy rescues access maximum building coverage, and the building collapse zone.
e. The 25 ft roof ladder shall be removed prior to the main ladder be utilized for any operation to include rescue, play pipe, flag detail, etc.
3. Ladder Company Riding Assignments
a.Driver (Outside Team – 1stman)
i. Tool Assignment:
(a)Radio
(b)Light*
(c)SCBA*
(d)Halligan*
(e)6’ Hook*
(f)Portable ladder*
ii. Responsibilities
(a)Work with OV and Roof as Outside Team
(b) Position apparatus (roof access, occupant removal, equipment access, and ventilation)
(c)Operate aerial device after 25 ft roof ladder has been removed
(d)Force exterior doors (egress and vent)
(e)Assist with Vertical and Horizontal Ventilation
(f)Ladder Building (egress and vent)
(g)Responsible for Outside Crew Accountability
b.Officer (Inside Team – 1stman)
i.Tool Assignment
(a)SCBA
(b)Radio
(c)Light
(d)Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC)
(e)Halligan*
ii. Responsibilities
(a)Work with Irons and Can as Inside Team
(b)Coordinate Ladder Ops
(c)Size up
(d)Face to Face with 2ndTruck Officer/Chauffeur
(e)Assign tasks based on priority
(f)Perform primary and secondary search
(g) Locate and confine fire
(h)Report conditions and extension
(i)Ladder Crew Accountability
c. Irons man (Inside Team – 2ndman)
i.Tool Assignment
(a) SCBA
(b) Radio
(c) Light
(d) Flathead axe
(e) Halligan
(f) Rabbit Tool* (Commercial and High Rise Operations
(g)High Rise Pack* (Commercial and High Rise Operations)
(h)Search Rope* (Commercial and High Rise Operations)
ii. Responsibilities
(a)Work with Officer and Can as Inside Team
(b)Perform Forced Entry for Engine Team
(c)Perform Primary Search and Rescue
(d)Locate and Confine Fire
(e) Report Conditions
(f) Secure utilities
(g) Interior Vent/ Overhaul/ Salvage
(h)Pick up Can responsibilities with 2-man Inside Team
d.OV – Outside Vent Man (Outside Team – 2ndman)
i.Tool Assignment
(a)Radio
(b)Light
(c)8’ Hook
(d)16’ Portable Ladder
(e)SCBA
(f)Flat Head/Pick Head Axe
ii.Responsibilities
(a)Work with Driver and Roof as Outside Team
(b)Division “C” and report conditions
(c)Coordinated Vent Opposite Fire Attack
(d)Primarily perform Horizontal Ventilation
(e)Force Exterior Doors (egress and vent)
(f)Ladder building (egress and vent)
(g)Effect obvious rescues
(h)Pick up Roof responsibilities with 2-man Outside Team
e.Roof (Outside Team – 3rdman)
i. Tool Assignment
(a)SCBA
(b)Radio
(c)Light
(d)Roof Ladder
(e)8’ Hook
(f)Flathead Axe* (Roof ventilation operations)
(g)Power Saw* (Roof ventilation operations)
(h)Utility Rope* (Roof ventilation operations)
ii.Responsibilities
(a)Work with Driver and OV as Outside Team
(b)Ladder building (egress and ventilation)
(c)Primarily perform vertical ventilation (as needed)
(d)Assist OV with horizontal vent
(e)Force exterior doors (egress and vent)
(f)Ladder building (egress and vent)
f.Can (Inside Team – 3rdman)
i. Tool Assignment
(a)SCBA
(b)Radio
(c)Light
(d)PW Can
(e)6’ – 8’Hook
ii. Responsibilities
(a)Work with Officer and Irons as Inside Team
(b)Perform Primary Search and Rescue
(c)Locate and confine fire (Extinguish spot fires)
(d)Maintain secondary means of egress for the team
(e)Report conditions and extension
(f)Secure utilities
(g)Interior Vent/Overhaul/ Salvage
g. Exterior Firefighters
i.Tool Assignment
(a)Radio
(b)Light
ii.Responsibilities
(a) Assist with deploying ladders and equipment
(b) Assist driver with operations
(c) Deploy cones and assist with traffic
(d) Assist with SCBA exchange
(e) Assist with Firefighter rehab
(f) Assist IC with operations: Safety, Accountability, Radio Monitoring, Staging
NOTE: Assignments can be amended by the orders of the Truck Company Officer or Incident Commander as incident needs arise.