AERIAL DEVICE STANDARDS

A.           All Aerial Devices to be numbered with 1-digit number per your station number and type of unit (Ladder, Tower, Snorkel, Truck, etc.) unless more than 1 Aerial Devices in your station then use a 2-digit number for each additional unit. 

           Example: Ladder 2, Tower 3-1, Snorkel 4, Truck 5-1, Tower 6, Ladder 7-1.

B.            The vehicle shall consist of a motorized piece of apparatus with minimum capacity to carry the equipment below without being overloaded. The vehicle shall meet DOT specifications & shall not exceed the chassis manufacturer's G.V.W. It must be registered as an emergency vehicle & meet all codes of the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration or its successors.

C.            Aerial Device shall be equipped as follows.

D.           All loose equipment shall be mounted in brackets and fastened to the apparatus.

• Aerial Device

1. The rated vertical height of aerial device shall be at least 75-ft.

2. Aerial devices shall be tested annually in accordance with current NFPA 1910 – Standard for Inspection, Maintenance, Refurbishment, Testing, Retirement and Requirements for Marine Firefighting Vessels.

a.      Test results shall be kept on file for a minimum of three (3) years for

    inspection by the Standards Committee.

• Fire Pump

1. If apparatus is equipped with a fire pump, the pump shall be at least 1,000 GPM.

2. Pump shall be tested annually in accordance with current NFPA 1910 – Standard for Inspection, Maintenance, Refurbishment, Testing, Retirement of In-Service Emergency Vehicles, and Requirements for Marine Firefighting Vehicles.

a.      Test results shall be kept on file for a minimum of three (3) years for

    inspection by the Standards Committee.

• Water Tank

1. If the apparatus is equipped with a water tank, the water tank shall be at least 200 gallons.

• Suction Hose, Supply Hose, Fire Hose, Nozzles and Adapters

1. Four (4) combination spanner wrenches.

2. Four (4) LDH spanner wrenches.

3. One (1) 1000 GPM minimum pre-piped water way.

4. One (1) 1000 GPM minimum fog nozzle mounted on the ladder pipe or mounted on the apparatus.

5. One (1) 1 ¼-in., 1 3/8-in. and 1 ½-in. stack tips mounted on the ladder pipe or mounted on the apparatus.

6. One (1) 2 ½-in. or larger two-way Siamese with shut off or clappered.

7. If the aerial fire apparatus is equipped with a fire pump and a water tank, the following equipment shall be carried.

8. Two (2) 150-ft. pre-connects of 1 ½-in. or 1 ¾-in. or 2-in. NST fire hose.

9. Fire hose shall be tested annually in accordance with current NFPA 1930 – Standards on Fire and Emergency Service Use of Thermal Imagers, Two-Way Portable RF Voice Communication Devices, Ground Ladders, and Fire Hose, and Fire Hose Appliances.

a.      Test results shall be kept on file for a minimum of three (3) years for

    inspection by the Standards Committee.

10. Assortment of spare hose gaskets.

11. Two (2) 1 ½-in. 95 GPM minimum hand line nozzles.

12. A minimum of 15-ft. of supply hose with pump intake connection on one end and local hydrant connection on the other end.

13. Two (2) 2 ½-in. NST double female.

14. Two (2) 2 ½-in. NST double male.

15. One (1) rubber mallet, for use on suction hose connections.

16. Two (2) hydrant wrenches.

17. Eight (8) hose straps.

18. If none of the pump intakes are valved, a hose appliance that is equipped with one or more gated intakes with female swivel connections(s) compatible with supply hose used on one side and swivel connection with pump intake threads on the other side shall be carried.

19. Any intake connection larger than 3-in. shall include a pressure relief device.

20. One (1) 2 ½-in. female by pump intake, If no 2 ½-in. pump intake inlet.

• Ground Ladders

1. A minimum of 115-ft. of fire department ground ladders shall be carried.

2. The fire department ground ladders shall meet the requirements of NFPA 1960 – Standards for Fire Hose Connections, Spray Nozzles, Manufacturer’s Design of Fire Department, Ground Ladders, Fire Hose, and Powered Rescue Tools.

3. One (1) 10-ft. minimum folding ladder.

4. One (1) 14-ft. minimum combination ladder.

5. Two (2) 16-ft. minimum straight ladder with folding roof hooks.

6. One (1) 24-ft. minimum extension ladder.

7. One (1) 35-ft. minimum extension ladder.

8. Ground ladders shall be tested annually in accordance with current NFPA 1930 – Standard on Fire and Emergency Service Use of Thermal Imagers, Two-Way Portable RF Voice Communication Devices, Ground Ladders, and Fire Hose, and Fire Hose Appliances.

a.      Test results shall be kept on file for a minimum of three (3) years for

    inspection by the Standards Committee.

9. Stepladders and other types of multipurpose ladders meeting ANSI A14.2, Ladders – Portable Metal – Safety Requirements, or ANSI A14.5, Ladders – Portable Reinforced Plastic – Safety Requirements, with duty rating of Type 1A or 1AA shall be permitted be substituted for the folding ladder.

10. Stepladders and other types of multipurpose ladders shall be permitted to be carried in addition to the minimum fire department ground ladders.

• Generator and Electric Equipment

1. One (1) 5,000-watt minimum generator.

2. One (1) safety gas can if the generator does not use the apparatus fuel tank.

3. Two (2) cord reels or other means to store 400-ft. of electric cord sized for the expected loads with twist locks.

4. Two (2) 3-way electric junction boxes with twist lock connectors.

5. Three (3) 10,000 lumen minimum portable flood lights with twist lock connectors.

6. Four (4) AC or DC direct wired 10,000 lumen minimum flood lights.

7. Two (2) 16-in. 5,000 CFM or One (1) 24-in. 11,000 CFM smoke ejectors with explosion-proof motors.

a.      One (1) positive pressure fan (PPV) equal to or greater than CFM’s can               be substituted for the smoke ejectors.

8. One (1) or (2) two smoke ejector hangars.

9. Assorted electric pig tails and adapters.

10. Four (4) Portable Hand Lights.

• Miscellaneous Equipment

1. Two (2) 6-lb. flathead axes.

2. Three (3) 6-lb. pick head axes.

3. Two (2) 6-ft. pike poles.

4. Two (2) 8-ft. pike poles.

5. Two (2) 12-ft. pike poles.

6. Two (2) 3-ft. to 4-ft. plaster hooks with D handles.

7. Two (2) 50-in. minimum crowbars.

8. One (1) Halmatro Forcible Entry Tool T1.

9. One (1) 30-in. minimum Halligan-type tool or Fire Service Claw Tool or Hammerhead Wall Pick.

10. One (1) “K” tool door opener.

11. Two (2) 12-lb. sledgehammers.

12. One (1) approved dry chemical portable fire extinguisher with a minimum 80-B:C rating.

13. One (1) 15-lb. minimum CO2 portable fire extinguisher.

14. One (1) 2 ½ gal. or larger water extinguisher.

15. Six (6) salvage covers, each a minimum of 12-ft. x 18-ft.

a.      Optional – Four (4) additional salvage covers each a minimum of 12-ft. x 18-    ft.

16. Two (2) scoop shovels.

17. Two (2) round point shovels.

18. Two (2) four (4) prong pitch forks.

19. One (1) pair of 36-in. minimum bolt cutters.

20. Two (2) brooms.

a.      Optional – Two (2) additional brooms.

21. Two (2) mops.

a.      Optional – Two (2) additional mops.

22. One (1) mop bucket.

a.      Optional – One (1) additional mop bucket.

23. One (1) mop wringer.

a.      Optional – One (1) additional mop wringer.

24. Optional – One (1) wet vacuum may be substituted for the mops and mop wringer.

25. Two (2) squeegees.

a.      Optional – Two (2) additional squeegees.

26. One (1) chimney chain with a chimney brush.

27. One (1) chimney shovel.

28. Two (2) 12-qt. minimum metal buckets.

29. Two (2) of the 12-qt. metal buckets.

a.      May be used in place of the mop bucket.

30. One (1) heavy duty staple gun.

31. Two (2) rolls eight (8) mil. Plastic – minimum 15-lb. roll.

32. One (1) can, at least 3-lbs. assorted nails.

33. Six (6) sprinkler stops or wedges.

34. One (1) sprinkler wrench.

35. One (1) pair of insulated wire cutters capable of cutting 6 AWG.

36. One (1) carpenter’s hand saw or power saw.

a.      Optional – Three (3) additional hand saws.

37. One (1) power saw with carbide blade.

38. One (1) heavy-duty rotary saw with assorted blades.

39. Three (3) pairs of safety goggles.

a.      Safety Goggle may be issued to members as part of their PPE.

40. One (1) stokes basket mounted in a bracket fastened to the apparatus.

41. Assorted wood plugs.

42. Assortment of cribbing.

43. One (1) Lock-Out/Tag Out Kit

44. One (1) Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC).

45. One (1) 4-Gas Detector/Meter.

46. One (1) HCN Detector/Meter.

47. One (1) toolbox to include the following:

a.       One (1) hacksaw with three (3) blades

b.      One (1) keyhole saw.

c.       One (1) 12-in. pipe wrench.

d.      One (1) 24-in. pipe wrench.

e.       One (1) ballpeen hammer.

f.        One (1) pair of tin snips.

g.      One (1) pair of pliers.

h.      One (1) pair of slip joint pliers.

i.        One (1) pair of lineman’s pliers.

j.        Assorted types and sizes of screwdrivers.

k.      Assorted adjustable wrenches.

l.        Assorted combination wrenches.

48. Optional – Assorted Rolls of Tape (Duct, Electrical, Cellophane)

49. Optional – Four (4) Bale/Mattress Hooks

50. Optional – One (1) Power Operated Deodorizer Unit.

51. Optional – One (1) pair of Linemen’s Gloves.

52. Optional – One (1) 15-lb. roll of tar paper

53. Optional – One (1) Gas Shutoff Wrench

54. Optional – One (1) Portable Thermal Cutting Unit.

55. Optional – One (1) Submersible Pump.

56. Optional – Two (2) – 3-ft. x 18-ft. floor runners.

57. Optional – One (1) Water Shut-off Wrench.

58. Optional – Two (2) Claw Hammers

·         Rescue Tools

1.  Optional – One (1) Hydraulic Rescue Tool System.

a.      One (1) Electric or Gas power unit if not using Battery Operated Tools

b.      100-ft. of Hydraulic Rescue Tool Hose if not using Battery Operated Tools.

c.       One (1) Spreader Rescue Tool

d.      One (1) Cutter Rescue Tool

e.       One (1) Comb-Rescue Tool

f.        One (1) 30-in. or larger ram

2.  Optional – One (1) set of Air Bags

3.  Optional – One (1) 10-ton hydraulic jack

4.  Optional – One (1) 20-ton hydraulic jack.

5.  Optional – One (1) Pneumatic Rescue Cushion.

6.  Optional – assorted lengths of chains.

• SCBA

1. One (1) SCBA complying with NFPA 1970 – Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural and Proximity Firefighting, Work Apparel, Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for Emergency Services, and Personal Alert Safety Systems (PASS) for each riding position.

2. One (1) spare SCBA cylinder for each SCBA carried.

3. One (1) Kent County RIT Pack.

4. Optional – Two (2) 4,500 PSI Cascade Bottles to supply air to the Aerial bucket or tip.

• Rope

1. Four (4) ladder belts meeting the requirements of NFPA 2500 – Standard for Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents and Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services.

2. One 150-ft. light-use life safety rope meeting the requirements of NFPA 2500 – Standard for Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents and Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services.

3. One 150-ft. general-use life safety rope meeting the requirements of NFPA 2500 – Standard for Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents and Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services.

4. Two 150-ft. utility ropes having a breaking strength of at least 5,000-lb.

5. One (1) Kent County large area search bag.

6. Optional – One (1) Block and Tackle

7. Optional – One (1) Line Gun with ammunition.

• EMS Equipment

1. One (1) first aid kit.

2. One (1) O2 kit.

3. One (1) automatic external defibrillator (AED).

4. One (1) each per crewmember; Respirator and gloves as recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, for airborne pathogens.

5. One (1) Bio-Hazard Kit, consisting of:

a.       Four (4) each surgical mask.

b.      Four (4) each eye protection devices.

c.       Four (4) protective gowns.

d.      Two (2) bio-waste bags

e.       Ten (10) plastic trash bags.

f.        Twenty-four (24) paper towels.

g.      Twenty-four (24) clean towelettes.’

h.      Two (2) cans of foam alcohol hand scrub

6. Optional - Two (2) Blankets.

• Safety Equipment

1. Two (2) or more wheel chocks, mounted in readily accessible locations, that together will hold the apparatus, when loaded to its GVWR or GCWR, on a solid surface with a 20 percent grade with the transmission in neutral and the parking brake released.

2. One (1) traffic vest for each seating position, each vest to comply with ANSI/ISEA 207, Standard for High-Visibility Public Safety Vests, and have a five-point breakaway feature that includes two at the shoulders, two at the sides, and one at the front.

a.  Traffic vest may be part of the members issued PPE, at which point would           not be required to be carried on the apparatus.

3. Five (5) fluorescent orange traffic cones not less than 28-in. in height, each equipped with a 6-in. retro-reflective white band no more than 4-in. from the top of the cone, and additional 4-in. retro-reflective white band 2-in. below the 6-in. band.

4. Eight (8) 30-minute Safety Flares, Incendiary or battery powered LED type.

5. One (1) set, at least three (3), of emergency road triangles.

6. One (1) roll of fire-line tape.

7. Apparatus shall have warning signals in accordance with NFPA 1900 – Standard for Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles, Automotive Fire Apparatus, Wildland Fire Apparatus and Automotive Ambulances when the apparatus was ordered.

8. Apparatus shall have a means of communication (buzzer, bell, or intercom) from the rear step to the driver.

9. Apparatus shall have an audible back-up alarm.

10. Apparatus shall meet Federal DOT Standards for lighting, axle loads, tire size, frame capacities, height, width, etc.

• Radios, Maps and Etc.

1. One (1) two-way radio to meet county standards.

2. One (1) portable radio for each riding position to meet county standards.

3. Apparatus to have two-way communication from ground to tip of fly of ladder or basket.

4. One (1) current Kent County Map Book.

5. One (1) Map Book for all surrounding counties in which the company responds to an alarm.

a.  GPS or Tablet/iPad may be substituted for Map Books.

6. One (1) Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG).

7. One (1) Kent County Knox Box.

8. Optional – One (1) Pair of Binoculars.

• Reference Material

1. Kent County Chiefs Association Aerial Apparatus Standards – 1998 and 2010.

2. Maryland State Firefighters Association S.O.P. S-003 – Ladder Truck Standards – July 2011.

3. NFPA – 1900 – Standard for Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles, Automotive Fire Apparatus, Wildland Fire Apparatus, and Automotive Ambulance – 2024.

4. ISO – Apparatus & Equipment – 2017.

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