BIG SPRING FIRE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES SOG 417: LADDER TRUCK OPERATIONS SOP: 417. Ladder Truck Operations.

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1 BIG SPRING FIRE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES SOG 417: LADDER TRUCK OPERATIONS SOP: 417 Ladder Truck Operations Table of Contents 1. Purpose Safety Normal Operation Purpose 2. Safety To give direction in operations of aerial apparatus. These directions at no time will supersede the manufacturers recommended practices for operations. If anyone operates or drives this equipment without being an authorized operator he or she will be subject to discipline. An authorized operator is one that is assigned to Ladder-1 by the shift Deputy Chief and has been properly trained to run the apparatus. Safety will always be considered before any Aerial operations. Only authorized Operators will be allowed to drive and operate this equipment. An approved ladder belt, fire helmet and gloves will be worn any time while working on an aerial ladder. During firefighting operations, approved firefighting turnout gear will also be worn in addition to the above listed. Use extreme caution and never use high idle when ladder is occupied. Only move ladder when you have complete communication with all personnel. This includes, radio, PA. System, or hand gestures. Full extension of all outrigger jacks will be standard operating procedure. Short Jacking will not be permitted unless directed by an Incident Commander or an On Scene Commander of the Big Spring Fire Department or in extreme emergencies. SOG 417: Ladder Truck Operations Page 1 of 5

2 Aerial waterway drains will remain in the open position for normal operation. The only time it should be closed is when the waterway is being used. *Important: The waterway drain valve should always be checked to insure that it is open before the ladder and waterway are retracted. Aerial apparatus checkout sheets shall be used for morning equipment check. The aerial ladders shall not be operated within 25 feet of electrical transmission lines. The only exception to this would be by direction of the Incident Commander or an On Scene Commander and only in life or death situations. In that event, time permitting; the power company shall be contacted to discontinue service to the line during fire department operations. The ladder should not be operated with winds above 35 mph or according to manufacture recommendation. The ladder should not be used if it has ¼ ice on it. The ladder should never be placed in the Fire. Annual testing of the ladder will be completed. A certified company will do this. No Exceptions Safety cones: Shall be placed around the truck EVERY time the truck is parked in public. The driver shall walk completely around prior to moving apparatus. Wheel chocks shall be used any time the truck is in use. With one chock placed in front of the front wheel and one chock placed behind the front wheel. Unless on a hill; then both sets of chocks should be placed on the side that is facing DOWN HILL in front of the tire. 3. Normal Operation Positioning Truck 1. The Truck needs to be positioned on a corner of a structure if at all possible. This allows access to two sides of the structure. 2. Do not position the truck on a driveway if ladder is going to be deployed. Most driveways are 4 thick and will not support ladder operations. 3. The Incident Commander needs to ensure all other apparatus on scene leaves adequate room for positioning the ladder truck. 4. After truck is in position switch PTO and Ladder Power switches to the on position. SOG 417: Ladder Truck Operations Page 2 of 5

3 5. When possible spot on level terrain; if it is not possible then spot the vehicle on terrain where it can be stabilized. Outrigger Leveling 1. Activate the "Extend Outriggers" button and pause until the "Outriggers Extended" light is illuminated. (Be sure the area around the outriggers is clear of personnel or obstructions). When extending the outriggers you should always extend the working side first to its working position and then the non-working side to its full working position. 2. Place the outrigger auxiliary footpads into position. Handles on the platform slates need to be facing inward. No Exceptions not using these can cause cracking in the pavement and can cause truck to become unleveled. 3. Always verify truck is level by visually checking the inclinometer before proceeding to the next step. Green 100%, Yellow 50%, Red 0%. If the inclinometer reads anything other than Green, then use caution and always run the ladder parallel to the truck. 4. Install outrigger safety pin in each jack and proceed with aerial operations. Safety pins need to be left approx 1 out and not butted up against the out rigger Yellow part of the pin needs to be facing the rear of the truck 5. 4x4 wood planks shall be used for support anytime the truck must be set up on a surface other than concrete or asphalt. Operating Ladder Access ladder turntable by the bottom folding step at rear of truck. Lift turntable safety bar. Replace turntable safety bar. Lift cover on ladder control panel. Verify no overhead power lines or obstructions. If fast idle has not been selected during outrigger operation switch to fast idle using the toggle switch. Unless personnel are on ladder performing operations. Raise ladder from cradle position. SOG 417: Ladder Truck Operations Page 3 of 5

4 Extend ladder for rescue, ventilation or water flow position. Operator shall ensure that the water way drain is closed prior to operation of aerial nozzle. Use extreme caution to lower or move ladder with a fireman on it. When operations of ladder are complete verify waterway drains are open then, retract fly sections of ladder to their stow position. When operations are complete the operator shall perform a 50% reduction on the outrigger on the highest side first. Verify arrows on ladder turntable and truck line up. Switch idle toggle switch this will return PTO to low idle. Lower ladder to cradle position. Verify ladder is resting on cradle. Always operate the ladder SLOWLY when coming up on the point on contact (feather the hydraulics). Remember: There is a nozzle reaction at the top of the ladder when flowing Outriggers to Travel Position Remove outrigger safety pins from each jack. Retract outriggers to Travel position. Visually verify all jacks are returned to Travel position before moving truck. Return auxiliary footpads at the pump panel to their storage trays and fold rear step and be sure step ladder is secure. Turn off Ladder Power and PTO in the cab of the truck. Remove and stow wheel chocks Truck is now ready to move. Hydraulic calculations: 1. Nozzle requires 80 psi psi for the plumbing = 105 operating pressure before elevation lift/ 5 psi for every 10 with the first 10 not counted = approx 35 psi if fully extended = 140 psi max SOG 417: Ladder Truck Operations Page 4 of 5

5 When radio communication or other one on one verbal communication is not available then hand gesture shall be used. The following diagram shows appropriate hand gestures. Raise Ladder: Left arm straight up in the air Lower Ladder: Left arm straight down Extend Ladder: Left arm on top of head Retract Ladder: Left arm on waist No Movement/Stop: No arm showing Ladder Rotating Left: Left arm straight Ladder Rotating Right: Right arm straight SOG 417: Ladder Truck Operations Page 5 of 5