By Ricky Riley
This drill and driver habit will enhance the operations of those departments that run tower ladders in their area. The proper positioning of this very versatile rig is dependent of the position that the driver gets when they arrive on the fireground. One of the habits that we train our tower drivers for is the 15-20 degree kick-out of the cab. This simple maneuver takes the cab out of center line of the rig and positions the cab out from the side of the rig that we will be operating on. By executing this position, the driver takes the cab corners out of play and allows more movement of the boom towards the front of the apparatus. Although the majority of the time this position will allow more scrub angle for below 0 degrees operations, it is also helpful when operating above 0 degrees.
This position will take better advantage of the capabilities of the boom and will put your apparatus in a tactically better position on your firegrounds. Take the time to get in this habit when arriving on incident scenes and taking your position on the scene.
Although this position is mostly used in mid-ship mount towers, it does work the same for rear-mount towers and achieves some of the same results in getting body components out of the way when operating right to left off the chosen side of operation.
Download this drill as a PDF HERE (656 KB).
RICKY RILEY is operations chief for the Clearwater (FL) Fire & Rescue and a member of the Kentland (MD) Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as chief of department. He also served for 20 years with the Fairfax County (VA) Fire & Rescue before his retirement in 2005. He is also an instructor for Traditions Training (traditionstraining.com)
