Chapter 06

Aerial Apparatus
Driver/Operator Handbook
2nd Edition
Chapter 6 — Positioning Aerial
Apparatus

Learning Objective 1
Discuss typical standard operating
procedures (SOPs) for positioning an
aerial apparatus.
6–2
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

DISCUSSION QUESTION
Why is positioning of the aerial
apparatus so important?
6–3

• Function of preincident planning
• Procedures for positioning aerial
apparatus
• Placement based on building height
Apparatus
Placement Procedures
6–4

Less Than Five Stories
6–5

Greater Than Five Stories
6–6

Identify tactical considerations that
affect positioning of an aerial apparatus.
6–7

DISCUSSION QUESTION
How does stress to the aerial device
impact where the apparatus should
be positioned?
6–8

• Maximum stability, climbing angle, and
adequate extension
• Affected by condition of fire building
• Impacted by stress
Proper Distance
6–9

• Excessive degree of angle
• Operation in nonparallel positions
• Operation in supported vs. unsupported
positions
• Length of aerial device extension
• Nozzle reaction from elevated master
stream
Conditions Causing Stress
(Continued)
6–10

• Weight and/or movement of hose,
water, personnel, and/or equipment on
the aerial device
• Wind reaction
• Improper operation
• Heat exposure
(Continued)
6–11

• Ice on ladder or platform
• Impact with the building
• Improper stabilization
• Wear caused by road travel
6–12

• Best rescue approach
– Upwind of target
Rescue
(Continued)
6–13

• Position at corner of building
Rescue
(Continued)
6–14

DISCUSSION QUESTION
What are two reasons for positioning
aerial apparatus for rescue at the
corner of a building?
6–15

• Area threatened by fire
• Placement of apparatus equipped with
elevating platform device
– Over top rail
– Through hinged gate
Rescue
6–16

• Operations requiring access to upper
levels
• Position should
– Maximize building coverage and aerial
device reach
– Be upwind and provide safety
• Position on side of building opposite the
fire
Access to Upper Levels
6–17

• Ventilating a pitched roof
• Ventilating a flat roof
• Horizontal ventilation
Ventilation
6–18

Discuss elevated master streams.
6–19

Blitz Attack
6–20
Courtesy of McKinney (TX) Fire Department

Close To Ground Level
6–21
Courtesy of McKinney (TX) Fire Department

• Used directly attack the fire, cool
brands and gases within thermal
column, and protect exposures
• Consideration of building collapse
• Position at corner of building
Defensive Operations
6–22

Discuss spotting the apparatus in
various conditions.
6–23

• Position in a location that provides
efficiency for operating on fireground
Spotting the Apparatus
6–24

• Soft surfaces
• Surfaces that are stable but become
unstable as incident progresses
• Thin-skinned paved surfaces
• Vaulted surfaces
• If soft or unstable surfaces are present
Surface Conditions
6–25

DISCUSSION QUESTION
Why is it important to have a
preincident plan regarding vaulted
surfaces?
6–26

Weather Conditions
6–27
Courtesy of Chicago (IL) Fire Department

• Avoid parking and deploying aerial
device on snowy or icy surfaces.
• Monitor icy ground for melting
conditions.
• Icing of ladders, booms, and platforms.
• Decrease weight added by firefighters
and equipment.
Cold Weather
(Continued)
6–28

• Avoid parking where raised aerial
device will be in contact with fire
streams or overspray
• Ice shrugging
Cold Weather
6–29

• Extreme heat may weaken marginal or
otherwise firm paved surfaces
Hot Weather
6–30

• Moderate to high winds impose a
dynamic load
• Raise aerial device to minimum
extension needed
• Position parallel to wind
• Gusting wind conditions
Windy Conditions
6–31

• Overhead powerlines
• Avoid spotting where maneuvering
around obstructions is required
• Caution around other overhead lines
• Jump clear of an energized apparatus.
• Avoid trees, overhangs, parked
vehicles, trash containers, and similar
obstructions.
Electrical Hazards and
Ground/Overhead Obstructions
6–32

Energized Apparatus
6–33

DISCUSSION QUESTION
What is the desired distance
between the aerial device and
overhead electric lines?
6–34

• Jackknifing
• Stress in aerial devices
• Choosing a supported position
Angle and Location of
Aerial Device Operation
6–35

DISCUSSION QUESTION
How can stability of aerial apparatus
be improved?
6–36

• Indicators of an unstable building
• Fire intensity
• Falling debris
Fire Building Conditions
6–37

DISCUSSION QUESTION
How large of a collapse zone should
the driver/operator consider before
spotting the aerial apparatus?
6–38

Collapse Zone
6–39

Discuss staging of aerial apparatus.
6–40

DISCUSSION QUESTION
What does an apparatus staging
procedure facilitate?
6–41

• Used on every emergency response
when two companies performing similar
functions are dispatched
• First-due engine company, truck
company, rescue or squad company,
and command officer proceed directly
to scene
Level I Staging
(Continued)
6–42

• Later arriving units park or stage at
least one block before reaching scene
in their direction of travel
• Staged apparatus should not allow their
paths to become blocked
Level I Staging
(Continued)
6–43

Level I Staging
6–44

• Used when numerous emergency
vehicles respond to an incident
• Incidents that require mutual aid or
result in multiple alarms
• Parking lot or open field
• First-arriving company officer becomes
Staging Area Manager
Level II Staging
(Continued)
6–45

Level II Staging
6–46

Discuss positioning the aerial for unique
responses.
6–47

• Accessing the scene
• Water supply
• Responding to incident
• Steps to ensuring firefighter safety
• Safety considerations
Approaching and
Positioning on Highways
(Continued)
6–48

Approaching and
Positioning on Highways
6–49

• Always stop well short of incident
scene.
• Do not park over manholes or storm
drains.
• Obtain information on wind speed and
direction.
• Park and approach upwind and uphill.
Approaching and Positioning at
Hazardous Materials Incidents
6–50

• Position accordingly if hazardous
material incident involves ignited
flammable or combustible liquids.
• Avoid staging all apparatus in same
location.
Hazardous Materials Incidents
6–51

DISCUSSION QUESTION
What are the three most common
names for the hazardous materials
zones?
6–52

Control Zones
6–53

• Always treat railroad track as an active
railroad line.
• Park apparatus far enough away so that
it will not be struck by train.
• Park on same side as incident.
• Keep apparatus 25 feet (8 m) from
tracks.
Approaching and
Operating Near Railroads
(Continued)
6–54

• If necessary to raise aerial device
across tracks
– Confirm railroad traffic halted
– Keep aerial device at least 25 feet (8 m)
above level of rails
• Consider additional cribbing.
Approaching and
Operating Near Railroads
6–55

• Allow ambulance best position for
patient loading.
• Position apparatus to shield firefighters
from traffic.
Emergency Medical Incidents
(Continued)
6–56

Emergency Medical Incidents
6–57

• Basic types of incidents
• Tactical uses for aerial
• Positioning in area where emergency
aircraft comes to halt
• Safety requirements
Approaching and
Positioning at Aircraft Incidents
(Continued)
6–58

Approaching and
Positioning at Aircraft Incidents
6–59

• Be sure load capacity is safe to drive on
and operate from.
• Use caution when raising aerial device
if bridge has superstructure above road
surface.
• Be sure road surface is in good repair.
Approaching and
Operating on Bridges
(Continued)
6–60

• Principles for setting up on an incline
• Wind conditions on large bridge
• Large bridges move by wind, traffic, and
water movement below
• Bridges and elevated road surfaces first
to freeze
Approaching and
Operating on Bridges
6–61

• Never spot inside dike.
• Position outside dike’s walls, unless
roadway is built on top of dike.
• Upwind location is most desirable for
direct fire attack.
• Discharge foam streams downwind.
Approaching and Operating at
Petroleum Storage/Processing
Facilities
(Continued)
6–62

• Challenges
– Narrow driveways
– Dead-end access
– Overhead obstructions
Facilities
6–63

Facilities
6–64

• Place in position that minimizes the
angle and extension to which aerial
device will be raised.
• Avoid spotting on unstable surfaces.
• Be aware of dangling debris and
unstable structures.
Technical Rescue Incidents
(Continued)
6–65

• Do not stress aerial with “shock load” or
overloading.
• Do not block other apparatus.
• Avoid parking where exhaust fumes,
noise, or vibration affect victims and
rescuers.
(Continued)
6–66

• Maintain adequate distance from trench
walls and other unstable terrain.
• Do not block scene access to later
arriving fire vehicles.
• Shut down engine if solely used for
person-power.
(Continued)
6–67

6–68

Summary
• Positioning aerial apparatus will never
be a perfect science. There are many
variables which affect the parking
distance from the building.
(Continued)
6–69

Review Questions
1. What procedures may fire
departments use to position aerial
apparatus assigned to the initial
response?
2. What factors may cause aerial
device stress?
(Continued)
6–70

Review Questions
3. How should an aerial apparatus
be positioned when providing access
for ventilating a flat roof?
4. What factors must be
considered when determining the final
operating position of an aerial
apparatus?
(Continued)
6–71

5. How can cold affect the spotting of
an aerial apparatus?
6. How can a driver/operator prevent
jackknifing?
7. What are the signs of an unstable
building?
Review Questions
(Continued)
6–72

8. How is water supply a problem
on limited-access highways?
9. What are some considerations
that should be made when a
driver/operator responds to a potential
hazardous materials emergency?
Review Questions
(Continued)
6–73

10. What guidelines should be
adhered to when approaching and
operating on bridges?
Review Questions
6–74

Chapter 06

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