Placement on the fireground simply refers to how and where an apparatus is placed at the scene. The success of fireground operations can directly or indirectly depend on the effective placement of fire apparatus.
There is a direct relationship between apparatus placement and function. Incorrect placement can slow or hinder operations. Truck company placement cannot be addressed without discussing engine company placement.
Engine company members should understand how their placement affects the truck company. Ideally the two operations will be complimentary.
At an emergency, apparatus placement should be made with a specific plan or goal in mind. Proper truck company placement during the initial stages of the incident is critical to the overall success of the operation.
Truck company functions including forcible entry, ladder placement, and ventilation are crucial actions that, if not done correctly, will adversely impact the whole incident.
One of the first consideration of an incident commander should be apparatus placement, specifically truck placement.
Managing key positions is a major element in effective apparatus placement. Key positions are those on the fireground that place the apparatus in the best positions to perform their functions.
Key operating positions are usually available only once. If they are not filled initially, they are generally gone for the duration of the incident. Loss of key positions places everyone at a disadvantage.
You should begin thinking about apparatus placement well before you reach the scene or even before the alarm is sounded. That is called Pre- Planning.
The Six P s Proper Pre- Planning Prevents Poor Performance
When pre-planning buildings and other target hazards, consider what specific truck company functions might be required. Ideal placement might be different for roof access versus water tower operations.
Truck companies are the largest apparatus on the fireground. If your truck is the first company on scene, don t limit engine company tactics by parking directly in front of the incident unless the aerial ladder is needed.
Parking directly in front of an incident will commit your truck to that spot for the duration. Of course engines need to leave room for the truck, however, trucks need to leave room for the engines.
Water Tower Operations When a water tower operation is obviously needed, the corner of the building is usually the best location for the truck. Operating a ladder pipe from the corner gives the operator the ability to cover the largest area with the least amount of ladder movement. Also, building corners are structurally stronger than its sides, reducing the probability of wall collapse. Corners of buildings should also be considered due to the lack of windows. This will minimize the affects of smoke and fire on the ladder and it s operator.
Tight and narrow streets are a common problem for truck companies. All personnel on the apparatus should be looking out to assist the Engineer and Tiller Firefighter.
The tiller firefighter has a great vantage point by being seated high in the vehicle. The tiller firefighter can see much farther ahead over the vehicles to the front, and a completely unobstructed view to the rear.
Room must be left for deployment of stabilizers and/or outriggers.
When determining apparatus placement, make sure you look up! The ladder must be clear or able to maneuver around overhead wires and large trees. Be sure to allow for ladder bounce and sag.
For roof access, ensure your trolley (if equipped) is pinned to the base section of the aerial.
You may be required to raise, rotate and extend the aerial between two objects.
A tell-tail or tag line helps for spotting roof tops and walls to keep your aerial unsupported.
On larger streets, placement in the center can allow for aerial ladder placement over engines and better climbing angles (depending on building height). This will also allow for more area to place ground ladders. Keep in mind, the farther from the building the less your ladder will reach.
When arriving at a residential structure fire it is best to drive past the incident. This will give the truck company officer a 3-sided look at the structure and will also give the firefighters a look at the bldg to determine ladder size and placement. This allows for the engine company to spot in front of the structure allowing ease in stretching their lines.
On truck companies, ground ladders are removed from the rear of the apparatus. By spotting past the incident, the ground ladders are already facing toward the scene. Spotting short of or in front of the incident usually requires awkward and unsafe ladder removal.
Poor truck company placement at residential fires is usually the result of improper engine company placement. If the engine company spots in the middle of the street instead of to the side, the truck company is unable to drive past. Squads and BC vehicles must also be cognizant of this problem and try to park on the opposite side of the street and in driveways. Nothing is more frustrating for a truck company than to find it s ideal operating spot occupied by a parked squad that is not being used.
The tiller firefighter should routinely (when applicable) kick the trailer out to one side to allow for ladder removal from the rear ladder compartment. This allows for engines to get in tighter to the incident and compensates for the deficiencies of other apparatus drivers.
Wheel chocks for aerial operations should be placed fore and aft of the front turning axle of the tractor. The rear duals may be picked up on extreme camber situations and the chocks would be useless there. Should you find yourself stuck spotting on an extreme incline or decline, placing chocks on the downhill side of the front turning axle and the trailer axle would be ideal to prevent truck movement.
When using the aerial for roof access, consider placing the ladder at an angle to the roof line for easier access on and off the roof. It allows for more of a footprint on the parapet for crews to access the roof.
The picture on left shows the aerial at an angle to the roofs edge and allows the firefighter an easier step off the ladder with a lower angle and larger footprint than the firefighter on the right.
We should always attempt to spot the truck on the corner of a building for use of the aerial. It is also advantageous for aerial reach. If you have a large façade or hip to the front, it allows you to reach farther back on the roof. By spotting the turntable on the A/B corner of the structure as shown here, it allows you to reach anywhere on the A side as well as the B side of the structure.
At a vehicle accident, especially one involving entrapment, it is a good idea to park behind the incident to shield the crew from other vehicle traffic. There may be times where you can get close enough for the Amkus hoses to reach from the power unit without removing it from the truck.
Apparatus Placement Decision Making
Apparatus placement decision making starts with knowing your equipment limitations and your district.
Know Your Equipment Use the chart beneath the turn table controls to know the limitations of the ladder. See the Aerial Physics chapter of the Aerial Cat Manual for more detailed information.
But what does this chart mean? How do I read it? What do I need to know about it?
The basic idea is the closer you are to the building, the higher you can reach with the ladder.
Think Ladder Access for Rescue
What can interfere with positioning near the structure to get maximum reach with the ladder? Let s take a look.
10 Story Apartment House
10 Story Apartment House Fire on the 8 th floor. Responding resources get report of fire and smoke showing and victims trapped.
10 Story Apartment House 1 st engine arrives and spots at front of building.
10 Story Apartment House 2 nd engine arrives and spots adjacent to first arriving engine.
How does the location of these engines affect ladder truck rescue capabilities?
Let s check the ladder chart at the ladder controls on the turntable.
Truck is forced to spot further away from building Only option for truck spot Ladder Turntable
How far can the ladder reach when positioned 80 feet from the building?
Do you remember your geometry?
Pythagorean Theorem a 2 + b 2 = C 2
60 feet high Pythagorean Theorem Applied A C Only option for truck spot B 30 deg. 70 feet from bldg.
The ladder reaches just below the fire. NOT GOOD!
100 ft. Ladder reaches 7 th floor max. Ladder Turntable
This means victims on the 8, 9, and 10 floors can t be reached by the ladder.
Let s say the engines left room for the truck.
Truck can be closer to the building
And ladder reach is maximized!
10 Story Apartment House
10 Story Apartment House
10 Story Apartment House
It s not good to end with negative images. Let s end on a positive note!
10 Story Apartment House
Let s take a cruise with LF 170 s before you go out in your battalion to practice positioning the ladder at tall buildings.
Multi Story Building in 171 s District
Challenging occupancy. Difficult ladder access at all sides.
Best Access Made at C-side Alley
FFS elects to make right turn into alley due to truck having a tighter turning radius to the right. Does your tiller truck turn tighter to one side?
What are the challenges in setting up the ladder in the alley?
Obstructions
Power Lines
Tight Access and Trees
What side of the truck requires more clearance?
The Right Side
Fully Extended Right Outrigger
This is important because the ladder will be extended to the right side.
Fully Extended Left Outrigger
Cut the fence to fully extend left outrigger if needed.
If fence is a wall that can t be cut, consider ladder set up and outrigger options approved by the manufacturer.
Ladder Positioned Between Trees and Under Power Lines
Ladder Positioned Safely Underneath Cable Lines and Between Trees
Mark existence of cables, wires, hazards using Hazard Tape on ladder.
You would never know that you could reach the C-side of this building unless you attempted it in drill. GO PRACTICE WITH YOUR LADDER
Thanks to 170 s for Helping with the Drill