This heavy-duty ladder is powered by hydraulics and extends from a turntable base on the truck chassis. It provides high-angle access for rescue operations and serves as a platform for elevated master streams. Most units extend between 75 and 100 feet vertically, allowing crews to reach upper floors or flow water over the top of a large structure.
Position the aerial ladder to the roof of the Bravo exposure so we can get a master stream going.
When spotting the truck, always check for overhead power lines and ensure the outriggers have solid ground before raising the aerial ladder.
Also heard as
- stick
Do not mix it up with
- Tower ladder: An aerial ladder is just the climbing structure, while a tower ladder features a solid bucket or platform at the tip for firefighters to stand in.
Related terms
Apparatus
Any specialized vehicle used by a fire department for emergency response.
Fire truck
A specialized apparatus equipped with an aerial device, ground ladders, and heavy rescue tools.
Tower ladder
An aerial fire apparatus featuring a telescopic boom with an enclosed platform at the tip.
Quint
A fire apparatus providing five distinct functions.