Jake Portillo from Corona (CA) Fire Dept. Ladder 3 “B†sent in some photos of a tip without a bucket. Although you cannot really tell from the photo, Ladder 3 is a Tractor Drawn Tiller Aerial, obviously with no bucket. In order to simplify getting saws to the roof, Corona Fire Department created what they call the “Aerial Saw Scabbardâ€. Apparently the name has a funny, easy to remember abbreviation. Jake pointed out that they do not run with the saw in the A.S.S. Upon arrival, the cab fireman hands the saws up to the tillerman for placement in the scabbard.
The scabbards do not have any retention straps; the angle of the scabbard keeps the saw in place. The scabbard is a simple bracket made from some diamond plate with a nylon insert to prevent damage. Notice the way the scabbard is mounted, the bolts do not go through the aerial at all. The bolts simply clamp the scabbard to the aerial. Jake also pointed out that they do in fact run with the rubbish hook stored on the aerial as seen in the first picture. The climb to the roof is much easier with two saws, and one hook already at the tip of the ladder, allowing the roof team to make it to the roof quicker, and with the ability to carry additional equipment.
11 thoughts on “Aerial Saw Scabbard”
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In the first picture there appears to be a rear mount in the background. Wow, two ladders in one firehouse. Great idea, Corona. The description states its easier to get to work with the hook and two saws already at the tip… where’s the second saw? Same idea, other side? I also noticed you run Stihl… any trouble with the carb flooding when the stick goes up?
I’d like to know more about the webbing that drapes under the handle of the saw. Is it set up to become a sling? If so, how?
I don’t know about this. I would have to see an overall view to be sold on this idea. Although it makes it easier to get a saw to the roof, does it also inhibit other tasks? What about rescues? Can a rescue still be done with this on the tip? Also, what about venting with the aerial? I don’t know if the tip of the ladder could be used to vent a window with this on the tip without doing damage. Just some questions that came up when I saw this.
This has Capt. Mark Kipley (ret) written all over it!
This has Capt. Mark Kipley (ret) written all over it! Did he have anything to do with this? Either way what a guy. Nice job guys.
OK here we go….First I agree with John two ladders in one house PERFECT. As for the carb flooding out when the stick is thrown, as long as the choke is in and the “trigger” is not pulled then no fuel will be delivered. To shed my opinion on the inhibiting other taskes question, every job carries its own tasks. If the crew and ladder are on the roof cutting the ladder SHOULD NEVER leave that roof. If you arrive and are tasked with searching then the saw should not be placed there (two ladders one house).If it is already in the “A.S.S” it is on the outside of the ladder allowing a rescue to still be made in the event of a rescue. As for the venting with the ladder it may not be in their SOP’s to do vent work with the tip of the ladder. Awesome idea, hope i shed a little light on a few questions. Be safe God bless.
OK! First the other Aerial in the background is our reserve. We run an Engine and a TDA out of this house. Sorry for the poor pictures I was trying to get to the point with the scabbards. We actually have 2 rubbish hooks mounted to the tip and I didn’t include the other saw. I personally have never had a problem with the saws flooding and we keep our saws with the choke on at all times, we have even tried taking them to the roof in the A.S.S. running and there has never been a problem. As far the question on rescue and taking windows there is still approx. a foot to a foot and a half of rungs left after the apex that you see in the picture so it could still be used to take windows if needed. The comment on the webbing is correct, we use them as a shoulder strap or sling, simply tie a larks foot with the webbing around the handle of the saw. All you see in the picture is the webbing is stowed on the pull start. And finally as for Mark Kipley he is probably one of the reasons we have a TDA in the city. I am not sure who exactly came up with the A.S.S., but what a great Captain; he was my first Truck Captain and I learned a whole lot from the guy. Thanks for all the comments Corona appreciates it.
Any chance of that snaging a powerline while driving to or from an alarm? Is it intended to be up there while going to and from an alarm? I know a there is a railroad crossing in my district and I dont think we’d even have enough clearance. How about the weather affects on the saw…. freezing cold, rain, etc…..? I like the idea of having it up there near the turn table as we call it but maybe in a covered box and below the height of the aerial rails.
John, the original post says that it is not stored in that position and is passed up to the tiller operator upon arrival.
i stand corrected. didnt read the whole paragraph, i had read the one similiar to this posted a few months back.
Jake, glad you posted this about the A.S.S. During recent training classes in Omaha, Reno, and Seattle there have been many questions about safe hands free roof access from an aerial trying to get two saws and two hooks to the roof. As for its development, I was very fortunate to have a proactive crew that all had fantastic input with the development of the A.S.S. It began by watching one of our taller firefighters carry a saw (not with a sling) and the FF at the tip got off ladder, the ladder moved and the FF w/saw appeared to be a bit off balance. A potential safety issue with low rails. We then put our heads together to come up with the A.S.S. that did not have any impact on the design of the actual ladder, no modifications by drilling, welding etc. Thanks to Ponny, Jay, Jake & Billy. Be safe brothers, sure miss ya.