ladder truck justification

[jdharber]

I work in a small community that has a building heighth requirement of 52 feet. Our current aerial apparatus is 75 Ft. The Chief is trying to convince the city manager that this is not adequate. We are looking for specifications that recommend what size ladder is needed based on building heighth, setbacks, etc. I have been unsuccessful so far. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[SFDE12]

I'm not sure myself but I'd say try ISO NFPA, or may be insurance companies. Also my department's truck is used more for length then hieght. We run a 100' platform and no building in town is over three stories, but many of the lots and construction features requires us to need lenght.

[N2DFire]

SFDE12 gave you pretty much the same sources that I thought of. The only other thing I would suggest is to grab yourself a camera, a notebook, and a tape measure and start pounding some ground.

Go out to various places and measure the setbacks (be sure to allow for cars in parking lots & such if you take your measurements after business hours).

Also - if you have a place that has a large open grassy area between the building and good "solid" ground - like a parking lot - then measure to the parking lot for your setback and not into the grassy area - never know when it might be too soft to use.

Once you have gathered your info. then just head back to the station and do the math to show how long a reach your aerial device needs to SAFELY reach these building.

(Be sure to emphasize the safety factor - that's the current trend in political crusades right now - making things safer for the Fire & EMS workers)

Organize the Pictures, measurements, and Calculations into an easy to understand presentation and then present it to the city manager.

If you really want to play "dirty pool" you might also "leak" your data to the local papers. Headline - "In house study shows Fire Department Equipment Inadequate"

(Please Note that I am not suggesting that you do this - I am merely stating that is a card in your hand if you wish to play it)

Good luck in your quest - I wish you the best of luck convincing the powers that be of your needs.

Take Care - Stay Safe - God Bless
Stephen
FF/Paramedic

Shoulda run the spell check the first time

[ 11-07-2001: Message edited by: N2DFire ]

[PAVolunteer]

In agreement w/ N2DFIRE - go find a building where your truck won't reach the roof from the street/parking lot. Get the owner's permission and go set up. Extend the ladder out completely, and take a picture of it not reaching the roof. Then get the owner on your side in that the owner is paying taxes and there isn't a first due aerial that can reach the roof.

Question that the city manager may come back w/ - how close is the closest 95' (or greater) aerial?

Stay Safe

[nonameFF]

A few years back we had a lumberyard fire. We had several 100 foot aerials/towers in operation. This was a single story building. However, the building was in the middle of six or eight others and the towers were positioned outside the complex. By having the reach, we were able to prevent extension to any other building (even though there was only 20' between. Without the 100 foot units, the job would have been much harder.

Height is not the only thing we need to worry about.

Other uses:

Trash piles
Mulch piles
Changing light bulbs at local softball field (laugh if you want, makes them more receptive to the idea and we get to do operator training)
Getting to the chimney on a 2 1/2 story home that sits back 50' from road when ground is icy or snow covered
Local police have used to take aerial pictures of fatal accident locations
Anthrax response (well not really, but it seems to be a selling point for lots of things these days)

[firecapt509]

Another suggestion I would give you is to call your favorite aerial manufacturer. Generally they will be more than happy to bring a demo to your city since you may spend $600,000-$1,000,000 on one of their products. Drive it to different areas in town and set it up. Find out just what it will take for certain buildings. Also, keep in mind the access for certain areas. That will determine which type of aerial, a mid-ship or rear-mount turn table, is in your best interest. Good Luck!