TRAINING Firefighter Topics Ladders Ground Ladders Extension Ladder

An article about the wooden extension ladder that was used in the early years of fire service. Wooden extension ladders were standard equipment in the early days of firefighting. Modern fire truck extension ladders are usually built of aluminum. Wooden extension ladders are still used on some fire trucks.

Video length: 9 min 58 secs. This is a video that demonstrates the 24' extension ladder evolution from the Sacramento Regional Fire Academy and the Sacramento City Fire Department.

An article about the extension ladders. When a portable ground ladder is needed to reach upper stories during a fire, extension ladders are used. They have the following basic parts: the base section, which rests on the ground; the fly section, which is raised with a lanyard and pulley, and dogs or run locks that hold the section in place once raised.