Ladder vs. interior stairs for access
Richard Sterne
Captain, Truck Co. No. 4
District of Columbia Fire & EMS Department
John W. Mittendorf`s article “Ground Ladder Placement” (September 1997) explores a number of considerations for laddering burning buildings. It appears to me that in addition to the obvious use of ladders to rescue trapped occupants, he considers roof ventilation and firefighter access priority reasons for laddering. As a general rule, most fires abovegrade level can be accessed more quickly, efficiently, and safely by means of the interior stairs. This practice also tends to put a hoseline in position to protect the stairway and evacuating occupants.
The two major tactical considerations neglected by Chief Mittendorf are laddering for lateral ventilation ahead of the advancing attack lines and, most importantly, firefighter egress. Although interior stairs usually provide the best means of approach and retreat from a fire, if conditions deteriorate suddenly or something unforeseen happens to make the stairs untenable, it is critically important to have ladders in place as an escape route. The members performing the attack and search will do their job with greater peace of mind knowing that the truck has given them a safety valve in case of an emergency. Today`s typically understaffed truck company is confronted with a million things that need to be done immediately on arrival. It is vitally important that laddering is not overlooked in the initial rush of activity. It should be the truck`s first order of business at all firegrounds. Remember, we`re not doing this for the public, we`re doing it for our own.
