GFD crews are moving on up!

On Monday night, crews from The Graafschap Fire Department worked with the ladder truck to reinforce their skills on working at heights above what the ground ladders will reach.

Members were taken through the set-up procedure and shown how they can assist the operator when tasked to do so. Speed and safety must go together seamlessly to be effective. The 100′ tower on the truck is comparable to a construction crane. However, at the tip of this crane are 1-2 firefighters plus potential victims.

Each crew was made up of an experienced firefighter and someone a little greener on the controls. Although there was a senior officer on the turntable with the master controls, the “bucket” crew had control of their ascent, rotation, and elevation. They were directed to get close enough to the roof so they could safely get out and perform ventilation, rescue, etc.

After the truck was cleaned up and put away, crews went over the supplied air system which allows firefighters to breath clean air through air lines instead of wearing the SCBA on their back. This is used for extended time periods while working in the bucket and confined spaces.

We have heard it said, “Why does Graafschap FD need an expensive 100′ ladder truck?” There are many uses, but here are the top few:

1. The reach. It may be 100 feet “tall”, but 100′ “reach” is used way more often. Most of that reach is used across a front yard. It may only need to go to the 2nd or 3rd floor window of a home, but its a great way to deploy light, water, and an escape platform for anyone who desperately needs it.

2. Elevated master stream. Mostly used to protect exposures of a building fire that has already been declared a loss. Barns, commercial structures, large homes and schools are all in our coverage area.

3. Rescue platform. Rescues can be made from roof tops, radio towers, open water, and over trenches where you cannot get a truck too close due to vibration. Rescues are not always serious trauma. Routine fractures, lacerations, and other health issues can happen anywhere.

When this pre-owned ladder was purchased in 2019, new ladder trucks with the same capabilities were costing $1.5 million. GFD paid $160,000. This was a great move on several fronts. Not only does this truck that may only take 25-40 runs per year a potential life saver, it adds credit to our ISO rating. This rating is what some insurance companies use to rate fire departments and set homeowner’s and business insurance rates. The lower the ISO class, the lower your insurance rates.

Engines and tankers wear out at a much faster pace. Even when maintained well, they can only be expected to last 15-25 years. So when you see our crews out with Ladder 751, throw them a wave and know they have a job to do….that they trained for!