Aaron Drake from Greenville (NC) Fire sent in a picture of something they have added to the tip of the aerial to help with ladder placement. A simple set of prussik cords were placed on the aerial by Jacob Valevich. The cords have a large knot tied in the end to give the end of the cord some weight. A monkey’s fist knot would work well in this application, and provide for a more finished look. The idea is that when you see the cords hit the wall, you can verify that the ladder is extended over the roof. Then, lowering the ladder until the cords just hit the roof ensures the proper clearance, allowing for ladder bounce and still providing an easy step onto the roof. While this idea may not be needed for a full time aerial operator, it may be good for relief drivers or someone simply training on aerial placement.
Would be good for training even if not left in place all the time…full time or not~
We’ve also utilized tennis balls on the ends of the same size cord for this purpose. It’s the same concept, just a larger object that’s easier to see at night and in adverse conditions.
All career companies at my department have a sofball size monkey fist on our ladder trucks. They placed it on the side the controls are on so the operator can easily view it!!!! why so big 2 out of the 3 comapnies are 100ft and in low visiblity conditions it is easier to see the larger size at a distance rather than a smaller sized one.
We use truck nuts.
Well done Station#3.
We have done the monkey’s fist knot.
http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/9647/l8012.jpg
Does anyone have a video of this being done?
Point that little light straight down parallel with the beam of the ladder. As the ladder extends, you will see it climb up the wall of the building you are sticking, when it disappears over the top of the wall, or transitions to the pitched portion of the roof, add a one-one-thousand count, and you will be where you need. Obviously, use the one on the pedestal side, you may need to adjust for sharp ladder to wall angles, or ladder light placement, etc…play with it on your ladder trucks…IT WORKS
…..i know i know i know….tennis balls and monkey fists never burn out…
Softball size monkey fist knot dunked in fluorescent lime paint.
TRUCK NUTS? what did the truck do to desrve that?
DMAN – I just almost spit my beer out reading that comment. Well played sir!
Does anyone know where/who sells the ladder straps that you hang from the tip? same effect as this, but made from a strap. cant find a company that makes them.
thanks rat man
This reminded me of a training drill we do:
Put something like this through a traffic cone before hanging it from the end of the stick/bucket (so the cone hangs down on the knot), then have the trainer place a 2nd cone at an appropriate location (edge of the roof, etc). Trainee has to place one cone on top of the other. Lots of ways to use this.
(It’s possible that I learned this trick here, but I can’t remember where for sure.)
Ratman,
Don’t know of anybody that makes a strap, but we used a carabiner and a 3′ section of 1 1/2″ hose (spray painted fluorescent orange). Easier to see than the prussik (for my eyes anyway). It’s hooked on the last rung and we just flip it up on top while driving…takes just a sec to flip it down on your way around to set the chocks.
We had several companies years ago that used tennis balls and rope. They switched to stiff door springs that would not be disturbed by the wind.
If ya had a tower you would not have to worry about it !!! Haaaaaaa Just kidding (kind of) 😉
Another reason to paint the tip of the aerial, besides allowing it to be seen by the guys on the roof.
We have fabricated a 6 foot long strap that velcros around the end rung. The velcro allows the strap to break away if snagged on something. A prussik might not give and could damage the ladder or building. Our strap also has old bunker gear reflective material on it. Each foot of the strap alternates red/orange and white. This helps the operator judge how far away the tip is from the objective. This has been a great aid for us.
Just make sure you attach it with some sort of breakaway system. We use medium-light zip ties. Better to lose your rope when you hang up on something than lose your ladder. And you gotta use a monkey’s fist.
we use a rubbber shark on our tip
it seems like this takes away the skill required to be an aerial operator. In my department a Truckie is considered the best of the best. You should know how to play shadows and know your rig to know when your getting close the to roof or whatever you are shooting with the stick.
It seems like a great idea for an individual who is looking to get cut loose on the truck, however I personally disagree with leaving this on the rig permenantly.
That’s kind of like saying using a thermal imager takes away the skill required to perform a search.
In an emergency situation, a visual indicator to let you know exactly where you’re at seems like an alright idea, regardless of experience level.
Use the ladder lights, as mentioned previously. Rookie or veteran, night or day, this method is fail-safe after you learn the particulars for your vehicle. Additionally, although it would be a rare occurrence, not having things dangling from the tip of your ladder would deter a person awaiting rescue from becoming a very temporary “extension” of your monkey fists, truck nuts, tennis balls, sharks, or whatever other crutch you have attached to your aerial. Unless of course you want to tell stories about the one that got away.
How long should the rope be? I’ve seen 3′ and 6′. I’m getting qualified as a chauffeur in my vollie house, and I need some visuals to help me get on the top of the list to drive. Definitely going to use the light trick too. Thanks for your guys help.
I put it on the new 75′ sutphen and when it went to a new station they took them off. One of the drivers has less than one year career experience.
John,
Sorry to hear that others weren’t receptive to your efforts at improvement. Here’s where persistence pays off, though. In my experience, those same FFs are also likely lazy. Keep putting the “hangers” back on the aerial…I’m talking every time they take them off. After about 2 or 3 weeks, they’ll get tired of taking them down and just leave them up there. You’ll get hassled, for sure, but you’ll also achieve your goal.