Fresno Fire Department

TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT MANUAL LADDER PRACTICES 304.007 SPECIALTY LADDERS EFFECTIVE: OCTOBER 2007 Current Revision Date: 07/22/21 Next Revision Date: 07/22/23 Author’s Name/Rank: Robert J. Garcia, Engineer Review Level: 2 Crystal Giannopulos, Administrative Support: Senior Administrative Clerk ADA PURPOSE The Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) utilizes 10 and 14-foot “Fresno” Attic Ladders, 10-foot collapsible Attic Ladders and the Little Giant Velocity 13 (carried on engine apparatus) and Defender 17 (carried on aerial apparatus). APPLICATION Specifically designed for use where space is limited, the “Fresno” Attic Ladder is particularly ideal for entering attics through ceiling scuttle holes and similar close- quarter situations. The little Giant Ladders are ideal where an articulating extendable ladder unit is helpful, such as smoke detector installs, negotiating over a fence or other situations where a step ladder is needed. OPERATIONAL POLICY The Little Giant Velocity 13 (carried on engine apparatus) shall not be used on the fire ground for firefighting inside or outside of a structure. It is not National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) compliant. The Little Giant Defender 17 (carried on aerial apparatus) meets the NFPA standard for Manufacturer’s design of fire department ladders and has been tested to the requirements of NFPA standard on use, maintenance, and service testing of in- service fire department ground ladders. With such certifications and testing, the Little Giant Defender 17 can be used on all fire ground operations. Section 304.007 Page 1 of 24 OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE Fresno Attic Ladder The shoulder carry method is used with the 10-foot and 14-foot “Fresno” Attic Ladder when there is sufficient room to maneuver. If the “Fresno” Attic Ladder must be carried through a crowd, the vertical position is most suitable. This carry has no protrusions to bump or injure people as it goes through a crowd and leaves the left hand free to help clear a path. The under-arm method is best for entering buildings. This method puts the ladder in a position where it can be placed under a low door and then pushed upward toward the ceiling in a confined space. Use caution when collapsing the ladder, so as not to pinch fingers. Little Giant Velocity 13 and Defender 17 The ladders should be carried in the stored position in a “suitcase carry” until at the site for deployment. All ladder care and maintenance should be done following Training and Equipment Manual, Section 304.003, Care and Maintenance. PROCESS 1. How To Carry The Fresno Attic Ladder: a. Shoulder Carry: i. Remove the ladder from the apparatus. ii. Lift the ladder onto the shoulder, butt forward, with fly towards the firefighter. iii. Place right hand on the bottom beam and left hand onto the top beam. iv. Balance the ladder and adjust left hand so as not to obstruct vision. v. Proceed to the desired location, checking for obstructions (See Figure 1). Section 304.007 Page 2 of 24 Figure 1 b. Vertical Position: i. Remove the ladder from the apparatus. ii. Stand the ladder in an upright position with fly section towards the body. iii. Place right arm between the most convenient rungs. iv. Grasp the most convenient rung with the right hand, leaving the left hand free to guide your way through a crowd. v. Proceed to the desired location, checking for obstructions (See Figure 2). Section 304.007 Page 3 of 24 Figure 2 c. Under-Arm Method: i. Remove the ladder from the apparatus. ii. Position ladder so the fly section is away from the firefighter and the tip of the ladder is facing forward. iii. Grasp the lower beam of the ladder with the right hand and balance the ladder. iv. Steady the ladder by holding the upper beam with the left hand. v. Proceed to the desired location, checking for obstructions (See Figure 3). Section 304.007 Page 4 of 24 Figure 3 Note: The 14-foot “Fresno” Attic Ladder has a bedded length of over 9 feet long and is not as easy to maneuver as the 10-foot ladder. It may be best to utilize two firefighters when moving the 14-foot ladder inside a building to ensure no damage occurs. d. How to Raise “Fresno” Attic Ladder: The “Fresno” Attic Ladder is light and maneuverable. It is not necessary to use all the same steps in raising the ladder as used with other ground ladders. There will be times when using the “Fresno” Attic Ladder where it will be impossible to raise it step by step. However, when there is room, the following steps are to be used: i. Remove the ladder from the apparatus and stand it in an upright position at the desired location, with the fly section towards the firefighter. ii. Steady the ladder by grasping the left beam of the bed section firmly with the left hand at about shoulder height. iii. Raise the fly section of the ladder by lifting it upwards with the fingertips or with the heel of the right hand, palm toward the ladder (See Figures 4 and 5). Section 304.007 Page 5 of 24 Note: The thumb of the left hand may act as a brake for the fly section as the ladder is being raised. iv. Lock pawls on the desired rung of the bed section by raising the fly section until the pawls are slightly above the desired rung, then lowering section until both pawls engage the rung. v. Lower the top of the ladder onto structure by grasping the beams of the ladder with both hands at shoulder height and adjust the ladder to the proper climbing angle (See Figure 6). Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 e. How to Raise “Fresno” Attic Ladder in a Confined Area: At times, the “Fresno” Attic Ladder will have to be raised in a crowded closet or in a congested area. The following is a recommended method of raising the ladder in a confined area. i. Bring the ladder into the closet by utilizing the under-arm method and stand the ladder in a vertical position, rotating the ladder so the fly section is towards the firefighter. ii. Steady the ladder by grasping the left beam of the ladder with the left hand at approximately shoulder height. Section 304.007 Page 6 of 24 iii. Select the lowest rung on the fly section of the ladder within reach, without stooping, and raise the ladder (See Figure 7). Figure 7 Note: The fly section of the ladder may be raised with the fingertips or the heel of the hand. iv. Hold the fly section of the ladder in place by applying pressure against the beam with the left thumb. Note: Repeat the above two steps until the desired height is reached. v. Position the ladder for climbing by grasping both beams of the ladder at shoulder height and maneuver it into place. f. How to Remove Scuttle-Hole Cover Using Fresno Attic Ladder: The primary use of the “Fresno” attic ladder is to gain access to attics. Many times, the openings are hidden in the ceiling of closets or in narrow hallways. Many wardrobe closets containing scuttle holes are small and to the point of overflowing with clothing. In such cases, clothing should be removed and placed somewhere out of the way before the scuttle cover is removed. i. Carry the “Fresno” Attic Ladder using the under-arm method to the desired location. Section 304.007 Page 7 of 24 ii. Place the ladder in a vertical position under the scuttle hole with the fly section towards body. Steady the ladder by grasping the left beam of the main ladder firmly with the left hand at approximately shoulder height. iii. Raise the fly section of ladder to just below the scuttle cover and lock fly section. iv. Position the ladder by grasping the beams firmly with both hands at chest height and lift the ladder upward so the top of the fly section is against one side of the scuttle-hole cover. v. Open the scuttle by pushing upward and sliding the scuttle cover over to one side (See Figure 8). Figure 8 vi. Lower the ladder to the floor in a vertical position and adjust the ladder by raising the fly section to extend through the scuttle opening with the proper climbing angle. g. How to Lower “Fresno” Attic Ladder: i. Reverse the above operations, ensuring the pawls are locked on the second rung of the bed section of the ladder prior to moving the adder. Section 304.007 Page 8 of 24 2. Collapsible Attic Ladder: a. Placing Collapsible Attic Ladder into Operation: i. Remove the ladder from the apparatus. ii. Grasping both beams, place the ladder in a vertical position. iii. Pull the beams away from each other. iv. Move the beams in the opposite direction until the rungs are perpendicular to the beams and the ladder locks into position. v. Place the ladder into position and adjust it for the proper climbing angle (See Figures 9, 10, and 11). Figure 9 Figure 10 Figure 11 b. Removing Collapsible Attic Ladder from Operation: i. Release the locking mechanism beneath the bottom rung (See Figure 12). Section 304.007 Page 9 of 24 Figure 12 ii. Reverse the above operations. 3. Little Giant Ladder: a. How to carry the Little Giant Velocity 13 i. Suitcase Carry a. Remove the ladder from the apparatus. b. Lift the ladder into suitcase carry, butt forward. c. Balance the ladder. d. Proceed to the desired location, checking for obstructions.

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