Ladder tactics and fire conditions
Donald F. Hayde
Captain
Squad Company 1
Fire Department of New York (FDNY)
Regarding Rem Gaade`s method for entering windows (Letters to the Editor, January 1999), the distinction should be made whether this is being done under fire conditions. If done under fire conditions, the tip of a portable ground ladder should be placed even with the windowsill.
With the ladder tip at the sill, it provides an unimpeded means of egress for the firefighter entering the window performing VES (vent, entry, and search) should conditions suddenly deteriorate. Secondly, if a victim is found and must be removed via portable ladder, the victim will have to be raised only as far as the sill, not higher, to clear the excess rungs that are filling the window.
