When arriving to the fire building there are several reasons to take the inside (closest to the fire building) position over the outside position. However, before we get into those reasons we should first list our aerial spotting priorities. We position and throw the aerial for the following purposes and in this order.

1) Roof access for vertical ventilation. 2) Victim removal from elevated floors.

3) Access to upper floors for firefighters and hoselines.

4) E.M.S.; Take it easy paramedics, we’re talking about elevated master streams.

Keeping this hierarchy in mind, we’ll now cover some general rules and mindsets that our spotting operation follows when choosing the outside or inside spot.

Uninvolved To Involved

Generally speaking, when operating in the offensive strategy, we spot the first aerial on scene for roof access. This positioning should land the roof team in the uninvolved portion of the building (see spotting priority number one above). This should also place the aerial ladder in the position to protect the largest amount of uninvolved structure.

This is, of course, not always possible and our spotting priorities should not be abandoned in the interest of protecting the “most property” in the event of a defensive fire. After all, E.M.S. (elevated master streams) are our last priority. On the offensive fire, we should be spotting with an offensive mindset.

With this explained, the outside spot is generally our plan “A”. Why?

a. This spot allows the best access for the Engine Companies.

b. It opens up the front of the building for hose lays, supply lines, and ground ladders.

c. Provides a better climbing angle for aerial ladders.

d. Helps to avoid the collapse zones of “Pre-1933” unreinforced masonry buildings aka “U.R.M.”, as well as concrete tilt wall construction aka “Tilt Up’s.

In both the pics above and below, the outside spot was taken. They illustrate how spotting to the outside can open up the front of the building for engine company access. Furthermore, when arriving to buildings that don’t require an aerial ladder such as a single story ranch style home, the truck should again spot to the outside lane thus leaving the front of the building for engine companies to establish hose
lays. Roof access will be accomplished with ground ladders so the need for aerial ladder placement is minimal.

The Inside Spot

Due to several reasons, the outside spot may not be the best option. Some of these issues are:

a. Overhead power lines inhibit aerial ladder access.

b. Maximizing the reach of the aerial on taller buildings (pre-plan).

c. Shorter length aerial ladders like 75’ instead of 100’.

d. First due on a quint apparatus.

• Spotting priority should be for aerial placement. In the inside position, the hose lay will generally work out. (Pre-plumbed waterways may limit this operation due to proximity to the structure)

e. Pulling past or stopping short of the fire building to throw forward of the cab or back toward the roof will help to avoid:

• the waterway hitting the parapet wall

• power lines

• a steep front side facade or eyebrow

• a tall parapet wall

• a bridge truss style roof

• an address side fire in order to start your ventilation operation in the uninvolved portion of the roof.

  See pics below:

To be able to make these decisions while approaching the building, you must first know the overall footprint of your aerial apparatus. Especially the outrigger spread. Both the overall width of the truck after
full extension, as well as, how far a single outrigger extends. Be sure to make these measurements from the body of the truck. Not the actual length of the outrigger jack .

Once you’ve made all of these measurements, be sure to write them down, laminate the card if need be and mount it to the inside of the apparatus cab near the apparatus height and length placards. This will help towards committing these distances to memory.

Now that we’ve touched upon the size up process when choosing the inside or outside spot, let’s discuss a useful tip to help you maximize the inside spot. The trick to the inside spot is to get the jacks as close to the curb/gutter as possible without ending up on the sidewalk. Accomplishing this all while leaving the most room possible on the “off side” of the truck for other incoming companies.

*Sidenote: We’ll cover sidewalks and other non-rated surfaces later in this article.

A useful trick: The average width of a U.S. commercially sold passenger vehicle ranges from 5.5’ to 6.5’. We know that the two different types of aerial apparatus in my organization have outrigger spreads of either 4.6’ or 5.6’ in length. So it makes reasonable sense to use the tire marks of parked vehicles on corresponding streets to help ensure that you maximize your inside spot as you approach the scene. How?

As you arrive to the fire scene and make the choice to take the inside spot try to visualize any tire marks that are furthest from the curb. Now, slow your speed and approach while aligning your “fireside” or “on side” front tire with these outer tire marks. We do not claim this tip to be a sure thing that will work every time. But it will work a lot of the time and should be a great tool towards helping you, the operator, become more in tune and familiar with guesstimating the jack spread of your apparatus.

Non- Rated Surfaces

When spotting your jacks and you end up to close to the sidewalk keep in mind that these surfaces are not “rated”. This means that based off the age, construction, and overall condition of the side walk, you are rolling the dice when using these to support the outrigger jacks of your truck.

We try our best to steer clear of them whenever possible. If you’re limited in length of ladder due to set back of the building or poor apparatus specification then you may have to set your jack upon the sidewalk. In these instances, we should consider a ground-ladder-only operation.

If you are going to use the sidewalk then be sure to hug it tight so that the jack is set well into the center of the sidewalk. AVOID THE EDGE! Setting the jack near the gutter edge can result in the crumbling of this concrete from underneath the jack. A nightmarish scenario could unfold.

As far as dirt and grass lawns go, these are quite simply off limits. We’ll be blunt. “Beaching” is a seriously dangerous operation that demonstrates a weak understanding and appreciation for the weights of these vehicles, as well as the cantilevered forces being generated by the extension of the aerial ladder. Infiltration and rapid erosion of the soil from water being flowed or just soft ground can cause the sinking of the apparatus. This will cause the apparatus to become unleveled on the “fire side” and could create a dangerously unstable scenario resulting in the serious injury or death of firefighters using this ladder.

There is only one scenario in where we would even consider “beaching” the aerial apparatus. That would be to rescue a civilian that is out of the reach of ground ladders. But in general, as a rule, stay off these surfaces with your truck company.

“Spot your Duals”

Now all that’s left to discuss is how to spot your pedestal. Whenever possible, we try to adhere to a few simple rules that apply to this objective.

Please keep your apparatus parallel to the building and inline with the street. This means we don’t kick our nose out at a 45 degree angle at the last minute. This is extremely inefficient and will typically block other incoming companies from accessing the fire building essentially turning a two lane street into a one way street. Furthermore, we should try to throw our aerial to the building at right angles off of either side.

We try to avoid throwing forward over the cab when arriving in a rear mount. This uses up a lot of ladder before its even left the cradle. We also try to avoid throwing off of or over the rear which would often require the truck to back into the objective. This adds unnecessary time to the operation and depending upon the design of your pedestal ladder / steps and gate, makes it very, very difficult to ascend and access the pedestal itself. This is demonstrated in the pic to the right.

By adhering to these two guidelines, we not only save time in accessing the roof but we also keep the truck’s footprint the smallest possible while operating well within the capabilities of our aerial apparatus.

Spotting the pedestal can be difficult for those of us who operate a rear mounted aerial ladder. A tip to help with this is to visualize where you want your aerial ladder to end up on the building. Now visually follow that position down the side of the building from that position and into the street. Use pre-existing landmarks. This will allow you to see these landmarks in your mirror. Be creative!

Perhaps there is a large pot hole or crack in the general area of where you want your duals to be. Maybe there’s a meter cover or large gutter opening in this area. Use these to help spot your pedestal by lining your furthest rear tire and or jack up with this landmark. The rear tires and jacks are generally in line with the pedestal of the apparatus. These landmarks should always be on the operators side. Regardless if you’ve arrived on the “fire” side or “off” side. It needs to be visible in the operators side mirror. Of course, these objects won’t always be there to use as a visual aid but when present, these are a great way to get familiar with the distance between you, the operator, and the pedestal . It’s up to you to become intimately familiar with your aerial apparatus. With enough “touches”, you’ll start to develop the muscle memory required to accurately judge these lengths and depths to effectively spot your truck when it matters most.

For example, in the pic above, if your aerial target is the Alpha / Delta corner indicated by the red arrow, you simply follow the imaginary line down from that point out into the street and would see a large crack (green arrow) that lines up with the driveway’s edge. This crack in the street is now the area you’re trying to spot your rear duals (pedestal) in-line with to ensure your aerial is in position with this corner of the building.

In short, get out and put these guidelines to the test within your first due. We realize that we’ve placed limitations upon your aerial operations. But we must not overestimate the capabilities of these apparatus. Understand what your ladder load chart actually means. Understand
the difference between “unsupported tip load” and “supported” load. There’s a huge difference in the strength of the ladder between the two. Get out and fine tune your spotting operation as well as your full “rig to roof” operation. Who’s doing what? The choreography is also critical to the timeliness and success of the operation. Time yourselves. Our goal is 90 seconds from rig to roof. That means fully bunkered out, with equipment, from the airbrake to the pedestal that includes a secondary ground to the building. Be sure to study the manufacturer’s manual and if there’s anything you don’t understand feel free to contact them.

In the end, the only way to master these guidelines and the art of spotting is to get some “reps” in. Pulling up to the buildings within your first due, simulating the fire’s location and going through your operations is the best way to achieve mastery. Thank you for your time. Now get out and throw your aerial.